Tristate gas prices dropped almost a week out from the Thanksgiving travel holiday while the national gas price average increased, according to AAA. Ohio and Indiana motorists saw the biggest drop in prices at the pump down 10 cents and 13 cents, respectively landing both states in top spots on AAA’s Top Ten Largest Weekly Changes in Gas Prices List. Kentucky drivers are paying once cent less at the pump this week compared to last.

“The big question of course is how gas prices will move in the next week or so with so many folks planning to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday,” says Jenifer Moore, AAA spokesperson. “AAA is projecting gas prices will hold steady or possibly even drop slightly as we head towards the end of the month.”

Average Gas Prices in Tristate Area

Source:  http://gasprices.aaa.com/  

But as travelers begin to plan their annual trek to visit family, they will find prices up significantly from last year.

Great Lakes and Central

Gas prices in the Great Lakes and Central states continue to see volatility across the region. Motorists in six states are paying less on the week: Indiana (-13 cents), Ohio (-10 cents), Illinois (-6 cents), Wisconsin (-2 cent), Missouri (-2 cents) and Kentucky (-1 cent). The remaining states in the region saw modest price jumps with Nebraska’s gas price increasing the most with a five-cent increase. Michigan ($2.74) and Illinois ($2.72) are selling the most expensive gas in the region, while motorists in Kansas ($2.40) and Missouri ($3.36) are paying the least.

At 44.5 million bbl, the Great Lakes and Central region has seen gasoline inventories decline for six weeks straight and register at the lowest level since mid-November 2014.

National Gas Prices

At $2.56, the national gas price average has increased nine cents since Nov 1. Strong fall consumer gasoline demand has continued into November and is chipping away at national gasoline inventory. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports total gasoline inventories dropped by 3.3 million bbl in their latest report.

Quick Stats

• The nation’s top ten states with the largest weekly changes: Florida (+13 cents), Indiana (-13 cents), Alaska (+12 cents), Ohio (-10 cents), Georgia (+7 cents), Oregon (+7 cents), North Carolina (+6 cents), Illinois (-6 cents), Texas (+6 cents) and South Carolina (+6 cents).
• The nation’s top ten states with the least expensive gas prices: Alabama ($2.26), Mississippi ($2.27), South Carolina ($2.29), Louisiana ($2.30), Arkansas ($2.31), Texas ($2.31), Virginia ($2.32), Tennessee ($2.34), Oklahoma ($2.35) and Missouri ($2.36).

AAA has a variety of resources to help motorists save on fuel:

• Fuel Price Finder (http://www.AAA.com/fuelfinder) locates the lowest fuel price in your area. 
• AAA Gas Cost Calculator (http://gasprices.aaa.com/aaa-gas-cost-calculator/) helps budget travel expenses. 
• TripTik Mobile (http://www.aaa.com/mobile) plots fuel prices along your travel route. 
• AAA's Member Rewards Visa® Credit Card (http://www.AAA.com/financial/AAAvisa.htm) accumulates double points on fuel purchases. 

AAA is the most comprehensive resource for gas prices.  Unlike the Lundberg Survey of 7,000 gas stations, AAA reports reflect actual prices from credit card transactions at more than 100,000 gas stations in the U.S.

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and more than three million members in Ohio.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.