Menu More MORE
AAA
Roadside... Roadside Assistance

Gas Prices Jump for West Central Kentucky Motorists as Nationwide Average Hits Three-Year High

Kentucky, Gas Prices
Gas Station Clouds Yuya Sekiguchi
Photo by Yuya Sekiguchi   http://www.flickr.com/photos/yuyasekiguchi   http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   legalcode

West Central Kentucky prices have increased by nearly six cents to $2.552 per gallon this week according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Gas prices are more expensive on the week across all states in the Great Lakes and Central region.  The average gas price in the region is $2.60 (Kentucky, $2.62). 

Gasoline inventories remained relatively stable on the week in region, seeing a modest drop of 26,000 barrels.  This marks the fifth week of inventory declines.  However, at 58 million barrels in total, inventories are 2 million stronger than early April 2017.

This week’s average prices: Western Central KY Average:  $2.552
Average price during the week of April 9, 2018:  $2.494
Average price during the week of April 17, 2017: $2.284


Average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas: 

$2.579        Bowling Green
$2.566        Elizabethtown
$2.703        Louisville
$2.479        Owensboro
$2.434        Paducah


On the National Front
At $2.71, gas prices are at their most expensive point in nearly three years and continue to climb.  On the week, the national average increased a nickel.  Motorists in six west coast states are paying more than $3/gallon.  Across the country, only 27 percent of gas stations are selling gas for $2.50 or less.  Moreover, today’s gas price average is 18-cents more than a month ago and 30-cents more than a year ago.

Expensive crude oil prices, unrest in the Middle East, and strong domestic demand are some of the factors that are driving Spring gas prices higher.  At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) settled at $67.39.  Last week, WTI traded at the highest levels since December 2014 and are expected to continue to build momentum this week. 

In its latest report, EIA data for the week ending on April 6 shows domestic crude production in the U.S. hit a new record high of 10.53 million b/d.  The increased output led crude storage levels to grow by 3.3 million barrels to 428.6 million. With Baker Hughes, Inc. reporting that the U.S. added seven oil rigs last week – bringing the total to 815 – crude production in the U.S. is likely to continue growing.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 80 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

For More Information, Contact:
Lynda Lambert, Safety Advisor & Media Spokesperson
Desk: 502-779-3610 / Cell: 502-565-7410 / Email:
Lambert.Lynda@aaaec.com

-AAA-

CST 1016202-80 Copyright © AAA East Central. All Rights Reserved.
AAA East Central is a member club affiliated with the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and serves members in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.