By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The average cost of a gallon of gas in the city has fallen for an eighth consecutive week, reaching its lowest average price at the pump since early 2021, according to GasBuddy data.
The price at the pump in Rockford fell to $2.87 per gallon to start the week, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 139 stations.
Prices in the city are also below the national average of $3.03. It’s the third straight week the city’s average prices have been below the national average. Before Dec. 26, the city’s gas prices had been above the national average going back to January 2022.
Prices in Rockford are about 36 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 51 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy’s data.
The national average is down 12 cents per gallon from a month ago and 22 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 150,000 gas stations across the country.
“Sluggish gasoline demand has led to the national average easing again, and brings back the potential for the national average to drift under $3 per gallon for the first time since 2021,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a news release. “With a record rise in gasoline inventories last week as demand was anemic during the holidays, motorists have provided the catalyst for falling prices. If demand remains weak, gasoline prices could fall further.”
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De Haan said refinery issues in California have also eased, which will soon lead to lower prices in California, Nevada and Arizona, thus helping lower the national average.
“However, the better it gets now, the more bumpy and sharp the rise could be ahead of the spring, as prices could start their rise of 35-85 cents per gallon around mid-February,” he said.
The least expensive station in Rockford on Sunday was $2.59 per gallon while the most expensive was $3.19, according to GasBuddy.
Jan. 8 | Historical average gas prices
Year | Rockford average cost | National average
2023 | $3.39 | $3.25
2022 |$3.32 | $3.30
2021 | $2.42 | $2.32
2020 | $2.62 | $2.61
2019 | $2.02 | $2.23
2018 | $2.50 | $2.49
2017 | $2.37 | $2.37
2016 | $1.89 |$1.98
2015 | $2.01 | $2.17
2014 | $3.34 | $3.30
Source: GasBuddy
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas