In the run-up to the Labor Day holiday weekend, the travel service agency AAA reports that the average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline in Louisiana stands at $2.97. In Arkansas the price stands at $3.02, while in Texas the average price stands at $2.96. Those prices are well below the national average of $3.36. To put the current price into some historical context, in 2022 the national average stood at $3.99 during this same time period. Worse, two months earlier the price peaked on June 13, 2022 nationally at $5.01, fueled largely by long-term concerns after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Overall, AAA expects a 9% increase in travel for the upcoming Labor Day weekend compared to last year, while the cost to travel domestically is down 2%. As reported by Sean Richardson with the Louisiana Radio Network, AAA fuel Analyst Don Redman says this price reflects a slight decrease in fuel costs compared to previous weeks. That’s offering some relief to drivers amid a fluctuating fuel market. “We’re almost 40 cents a gallon cheaper than we were this time last year. So, certainly for a lot of families, getting some kind of a break at the pump.”
A decrease in crude oil prices, seasonal changes in demand, and an increase in fuel supply are some of the factors for the decline. Analysts explain that Louisiana’s Gas prices are typically lower than the national average because off the state’s proximity to Gulf Coast refineries and lower state taxes on fuel.
AAA offers some travel trips, stating that the busiest travel days are expected to be Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The busiest travel times Thursday and Friday will be between 1:00 and 7:30 p.m., while the worst travel time on Saturday will be between 8:00 and 11:00 a.m.
