Tag: Travel

Gas Prices Keep Dropping as Christmas Nears

Gasoline prices in the U.S. are caught between an uptick in holiday travel and the fear of the impact of new variants of COVID-19, resulting in downward pressure on prices. 

Los Angeles gas prices on 11-21-21
The average price for gas in the U.S. is $3.30 per gallon. California averages $4.66 a gallon.

GasBuddy.com, which tracks the price of gasoline nationally, reported the average price of a gallon of gasoline is now $3.30. It dropped by more than a half-cent earlier this week and is down 2.6 cents per gallon from last week. 

The prices are down 11.5 cents per gallon from last month when prices peaked across the country ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday prior to the appearance of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which is creating new turbulence throughout the economy. 

Factors in the decline

AAA noted in its weekly report on gasoline prices the demand for fuel increased as consumer confidence jumped heading into the holiday season. However, fears of the COVID-19 omicron variant’s economic impact may threaten future global oil consumption, AAA said. 

President Joe Biden

President Joe Biden noted gas prices have returned to pre-pandemic levels this week.

“A recovering economy coupled with strong employment is leading to increased demand for gasoline,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “This demand increase should drive pump prices higher, but it’s been blunted by the wavering price of crude oil.”

As a result, pump prices fell again last week as crude oil prices wobbled — neither rising steadily nor falling rapidly. The national average for a gallon of gas dipped three cents to $3.30, according to AAA. 

According to recent data from the Energy Information Administration, or EIA, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 700,000 barrels to 218.6 million barrels last week, AAA said. 

In addition, fluctuations in the price of crude oil put downward pressure on prices. Last week, crude prices crept above $70 per barrel and if oil prices continue to climb, pump prices will likely follow suit. 

AAA gas chart 12-20-21

Oil prices waver on news 

Overall, crude prices declined last week due to growing market concerns that the omicron variant of COVID-19 will lead to a decrease in demand as governments around the globe increase measures to curb transmission rates. The EIA reported gasoline stocks are 14% lower than mid-December 2020. For this week, crude prices could drop further if omicron concerns carry on. 

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden observed this week in 21 states the price of gasoline is the same now as it was at point in 2019 before gasoline prices sunk on heels of a global recession that followed the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Among the states with the largest declines in prices were Indiana and Michigan where prices dropped by six cents per gallon. In Ohio, Arizona, Illinois it dropped by a nickel per gallon and Florida and Colorado it was down four cents per gallon, according to AAA. 

AAA said the most expensive gasoline was in California, which is generally the case, where it averaged $4.66 per gallon. Prices in Oregon and Nevada averaged $3.86 per gallon.

For GREAT deals on a new or used Nissan check out Glendale Nissan TODAY!

Raleigh, N.C.: Where the Driving is Easy — Unlike Oakland Where it’s the Worst

According to a new study ranking driving in the 100 largest U.S. cities, Raleigh, N.C. ranks tops according to a new report by WalletHub. 

Raleigh NC at night
Raleigh, North Carolina was ranked as the top city to drive in for 2021.

If there’s a No. 1, then you know there’s a No. 100: Oakland, California placed last.

The ease of driving in America’s largest cities matters, as 87% of daily trips are made in cars, trucks and SUVs. On average, Americans spend about 6 hours a week driving or riding in automobiles — that’s nearly 13 days.

“Longer time behind the wheel could lead to issues such as fatigue, distraction, and impatience for drivers, which are all contributing factors for vehicle crashes,” said David Yang, executive director for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, in a statement.

COVID caused changes

And the pandemic has led more people to abandon public transit for private transportation. But the increased number of private cars is clogging roads and raising tempers, so a look at the overall quality of driving life is timely.

Oakland California
If there is a best place to drive, there’s also a worst: Oakland, California came in last at No. 100.

The WalletHub study measured such metrics as gas prices, new car costs, maintenance costs, insurance rates, parking rates, hours spent in congestion, average commute time, quality of roads and bridges, weather, fatality rates, seat belt usage, the number of uninsured drivers, car thefts, larceny, access to car dealers, repair shops, car washes, gas stations and garages.

Raleigh, N.C. placed first at 67.662 points. It was followed by Lincoln, Nebraska222.; Greensboro, N.C.; Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Corpus Christi, Texas rounding out the top five. 

At the other extreme was Chicago at 95th with 40.69 points, it was followed by New York City; Philadelphia; San Francisco; Detroit; and Oakland. 

Other measurables

But the study also ranked several other metrics as well, coming with some interesting results.

Residents in El Paso, Texas and Lubbock, Texas tied for the least amount of time dealing with traffic congestion. Those living in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York tied for spending the most time sitting in traffic.

Chicago downtown
Chicago ranked 95th in the top U.S. cities to drive in by WalletHub.com.

Chula Vista, California has the lowest fatality rate of 2.55 deaths per 100,000 residents; Memphis, Tennessee lays claim to the highest at 7.8 deaths. 

You’re least likely to have your car stolen in Irvine, California. Car thefts occur at a rate of 0.56 per 1,000 residents, while Oakland has the most at 11.61 per 1,000 residents.

Looking for cheap gas? Head to San Antonio, Texas, where it costs the least in America’s 100 largest cities: $2.66 per gallon. Avoid San Francisco where gas is the most expensive at $4.40 per gallon.

Parking your car costs 90 cents for two hours in Hialeah, Florida whereas it will cost you $34.80 for the same amount of time in Boston.

Car owners in Jacksonville, Florida enjoyed the lowest maintenance costs, which includes the cost of gas, while those in Portland, Oregon have the highest, narrowly beating out Honolulu, Hawaii. 

But you’ll spend the least amount of time in inclement weather in Las Vegas, Nevada — hardly a surprise. This contrasts with Portland, Oregon, which has the most rotten weather. Again, hardly a surprise.