Local, state gas prices inch higher, still lowest in nation

Gas prices in DeSoto County and in Mississippi have been inching up higher in the past week thanks to higher oil prices. 

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the DeSoto County average price of regular unleaded gasoline on Sunday, July 22 was set at $3.064 a gallon. The average per gallon price in Mississippi was $3.065 a gallon and nationally, the average price was $3.594.

The state average price was up just short of six cents a gallon from a week ago, when the average price was $3.007.  One month ago, the state average price was $3.009 and a year ago, it was $3.929 a gallon.  

AAA pairs Southaven and Olive Branch together and Sunday’s average price per gallon was set at $3.100, which was two cents higher than Saturday’s average and also higher than a week ago ($3.044). The average price in Southaven and Olive Branch one month ago was $3.037 and one year ago, the average was $3.902. 

Higher oil prices are the reason behind the rise in gas prices, according to AAA, whIch recently increased into the mid-$70s per barrel.  

“Gas demand barely budged from last week, yet compared to this time in 2022, it is higher nationwide except for the Gulf Coast, Texas, and New Mexico,“ said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Some industry experts speculate that scorching temps in that region are keeping people off the road.” 

Washington has become the state with the highest average gas price at $4.923 a gallon, followed by California at $4.890. Hawaii, Oregon, and Alaska rounded out the top five states. 

On the other end of the spectrum is Mississippi with the lowest average price, followed by Tennessee ($3.180), Alabama ($3.194), Louisiana ($3.203), and Arkansas ($3.21).  

GasBuddy.com lists the lowest gas prices in DeSoto County at this link, which is also reported each day in the DeSoto County Newsletter published by DeSoto County News.