Gas prices in West Central Kentucky are up by a penny this week at $2.650 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.
Unlike most of the country, state gas price averages in the Great Lakes and Central region continue to trend more expensive (Kentucky, +6 cents) (Ohio, +2). Overall, the increase in gas prices can be attributed to a few factors, including planned and unplanned maintenance at half a dozen refineries in the region and inventory levels. Total inventory in the region sits at 52.3 million barrels according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Despite being on par with levels this time last year, this is one of the lowest levels seen since Memorial Day Weekend this year.
This week’s average prices: Western Central KY Average $2.650
Average price during the week of September 17, 2018 $2.639
Average price during the week of September 25, 2017 $2.346
Average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:
$2.545 Leitchfield
$2.663 Bowling Green
$2.545 Elizabethtown
$2.916 Louisville
$2.551 Owensboro
$2.577 Paducah
On the National Front
Motorists in 32 states are welcoming cheaper or stable gas prices at the start of the workweek. Today’s national gas price average is $2.85, which is the same price as last Monday, one-cent more than last month and 27-cents more expensive than this time last year.
The latest EIA data reports that both U.S. gasoline demand and stocks declined signaling supply and demand are in sync post-summertime. This is true for most regions, except in the Great Lakes and Central region where prices are increasing due to maintenance at a handful of refineries.
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, the WTI increased 46 cents to settle at $70.78. Oil prices jumped higher last week after EIA’s report showed another decline in oil inventories, which now sit at 394.1 million bbl. The supply drop from the previous week’s 396.2 million barrel has put another spotlight on limited global supply as fall approaches. If EIA’s report this week shows another decrease in domestic crude stocks, oil prices are likely to continue their ascent amid continuing global supply concerns.
Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.
