While the price of crude oil continues to climb in the U.S., regional gas averages have trended a shade lower in the last two weeks — down from $2.88 the week of June 7, to $2.84 on Monday.
And, according to GasBuddy.com, some Sunday and Monday afternoon prices at local gas pumps have reflected those changes.
In Trigg County, Casey’s in Cadiz had unleaded at $2.89, Sinclair’s in Canton was at $2.93 and the Shell & Twice Daily in Cadiz was at $2.89.
In Christian County, Love’s in Oak Grove had unleaded at $2.75, Wal-Mart in Hopkinsville was at $2.59 and Huck’s in Crofton was at $2.85.
In Caldwell County, Marathon in Fredonia had unleaded at $2.74, Casey’s in Princeton was at $2.79 and Marathon’s at 10705 Cadiz Rd. was at $2.99.
It’s a bit of relief for the region, as the national average is up for an eighth-straight week to $3.08/gallon (which is three cents more on the week, a nickel more on the month, and 98 cents more on the year).
Crude oil sits at $71 a barrel — its highest mark since October 2018 — while Brent crude oil, the national standard, is at $73/barrel. Per the American Automobile Association, motorists are currently paying 37% more to fill up their vehicle than they were on January 1, and prices for the rest of the month could push higher if crude production doesn’t increase.
Three key factors are playing a large part in the increased oil prices:
■ The optimism and concurrent success of the COVID-19 vaccination process
■ The reopening of businesses under the easement of COVID-19 restrictions
■ And the overall global demand for oil as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels
The west and central Kentucky gasoline average on June 15, 2020, during the height of coronavirus, was at $1.99/gallon.
