Gas prices in West Central Kentucky are four cents higher this week at $2.070, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. Despite this increase, prices in the region are nearly 30 cents cheaper than this time last year.
This week’s average prices: Western Central KY Average $2.070
Average price during the week of December 21, 2020 $2.037
Average price during the week of December 30, 2019 $2.349
Average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:
$2.128 Bowling Green
$2.040 Elizabethtown
$2.306 Louisville
$1.927 Owensboro
$1.951 Paducah
Trend Analysis:
Increasing crude oil prices have led to upward movement at the pump across much of the country. Today’s national average ($2.25) is three cents more than last week, 13 cents more than last month, but 32 cents cheaper than last year. Motorists can expect gas prices to rise in the coming week, but they will still be cheaper than at the end of 2019.
The Energy Information Administration measures weekly gasoline demand at 8 million b/d. While low demand would typically translate to cheaper prices, crude oil is at its most expensive since February (roughly $48/barrel).
Crude prices increased last due in part to rising market optimism that coronavirus vaccines will help crude oil demand recover in 2021. However, as coronavirus infection rates continue to climb, crude price gains could be capped for now.
Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.
AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members. News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.