Staff Reports
Gas prices took a little hop upwards on Wednesday, breaking a week-long streak of price stability. According to AAA, the average cost for a gallon of regular gas is now sitting at $3.361, a modest increase from Tuesday’s $3.35. It’s like watching your favorite team score a point after being in a slump—exciting, yet still not quite where anyone wants to be.
While this bump may cause some gas-guzzlers to feel a pinch, it’s worth noting that prices are still better than they were just a week ago, when drivers were lamenting prices around $3.398 per gallon. Compared to a month ago, when gas was averaging $3.506, this rise doesn’t feel disastrous, just mildly irritating. It’s almost like finding out that the average cost of a taco has gone up by a few cents while you’re pondering your dinner plans.
As the 2024 presidential election looms on the horizon, the issue of gas prices is set to become a hot-button topic. With President Biden choosing to forgo another run, Vice President Kamala Harris now faces the question of how she will tackle the stubborn issue of soaring gas prices and rising energy costs. If history serves as any indication, her strategy may involve crafting speeches that sound great but have less substance than a gas tank running on fumes.
Of course, for context, gas prices are still far cry from the lowly levels seen during the Trump administration. Just a casual reminder that while some may be celebrating small wins in recent price drops, they’re still clutching their wallets much tighter than they once did.
Washington Examiner: Gas Prices: An increase at the pumps in the middle of the work week https://t.co/baUTOVlO3z
— Ian’s Newsfeed 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHNewsFeed) August 28, 2024
Meanwhile, state-by-state comparisons reveal a mixed bag of prices. Washington, D.C., is in a bit of a downward trend, reporting an average of $3.614—a slight decrease from Tuesday. Maryland is basking in slightly lower prices too, checking in at $3.285, proving that the state’s dedication to crumbling infrastructure isn’t entirely in vain. Delaware continues to claim the title of the cheapest gas in the region at $3.186. Virginia, meanwhile, saw a small upturn to $3.231, but it’s still cheaper than last week. On the flip side, Mississippi is back on top nationally with an impressively low $2.89 per gallon. A victory for the good ol’ South that leaves residents of Hawaii, who are paying through the nose at $4.664 per gallon, feeling more than a little envious.
In this topsy-turvy gas price game, some states are faring better than others, but the overall reminder is clear—Americans are still grappling with higher gas prices than they’d like. And as the election approaches and politicians gear up their rhetoric, it’s likely that gas prices will continue to be a favorite punching bag.
