Staff Reports
Gas prices are continuing their slow and steady decline in the U.S., with the average cost for a gallon of regular gas slipping down to $3.414, according to the fortune-tellers at AAA. This marks the second day of price drops, following a Saturday figure of $3.421. It’s almost like a gas price miracle—or at least, a small reprieve on the road to financial freedom.
The recent downturn is a welcome change compared to last week’s average of $3.445 or the month prior, where Americans saw prices soar to $3.506 per gallon. As the nation gears up for the 2024 presidential election, gas prices will undoubtedly become a major talking point, particularly as folks start reminiscing about the not-so-distant past when gas prices were lower under former President Donald Trump’s administration. With President Biden bowing out of his re-election bid, the spotlight now turns to Vice President Kamala Harris, who will eventually need to explain how her administration plans to tackle the issue of high gas prices that have come to symbolize the ongoing economic woes facing many Americans.
Washington Examiner: Gas prices: Decreases at the pumps to end the weekend https://t.co/AIyNFrd1Jj
— Ian’s Newsfeed 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHNewsFeed) August 19, 2024
While prices have experienced fluctuations throughout 2024, the recent downward trend gives some fleeting hope for relief. Nevertheless, anyone looking to fill up at the pump will find that today’s prices are still higher than when Trump was maneuvering through the Oval Office like a gas-powered NASCAR driver. It’s an unfortunate reminder for those who have to watch their wallets with these gas prices teetering just below the gasps of a good deal.
Gas prices also swing wildly between states, creating a scenario where some states are practically giving gas away while others feel like they are being robbed at the pump. In Washington, D.C., a gallon of regular gas is at $3.668, just a hair more than Saturday at $3.667. A week ago, you’d have paid $3.686, proving that at least in the capital, progress is measured in fractions of a cent—or perhaps in the number of politicians avoiding real issues.
On the other side of the spectrum, Virginia has seen a drop to $3.294 per gallon, a slight improvement from the previous day’s price of $3.30. Maryland’s residents are feeling similar gratitude, with gas dipping to $3.378 from Saturday’s $3.38. Meanwhile, Delaware joins the fray, with prices also sliding down to $3.296. If only the politicians could slide down the economic scale as easily as these gas prices seem to be doing.
At the extremes, Hawaii reigns supreme with the highest gas prices in the nation, reportedly clocking in at $4.668. This is just a tad lower than Saturday’s $4.671. Meanwhile, in Mississippi, residents are enjoying the perks of being at the bottom of the barrel, with gas prices resting comfortably at an enviable $2.958. This state continues to flaunt its under-$3 status as a badge of honor. As the rest of the nation grapples with fluctuations and increases, Mississippi reminds everyone that not all states have to suffer at the pump.
