Staff Reports
Gas prices are undergoing a delightful decline across the nation, much to the relief of consumers reaching for their wallets before their gas tanks. The national average recently slid down to $3.144 per gallon, a slight dip from the previous day’s $3.15. While every penny counts for Americans, it’s hard to overlook that prices are still considerably higher than during the Trump presidency, leaving many to wonder if a magic wand can be found to zap prices back down.
As election season heats up, the plummet of gas prices serves as an interesting backdrop. With President Joe Biden opting out of another term, the spotlight now shines on Vice President Kamala Harris, who has found herself in the uncomfortable position of having to propose solutions to skyrocketing energy costs without drawing the ire of disillusioned voters. Perhaps someone should remind her that claiming credit for the falling prices won’t go very far with an electorate that remembers well the days when filling up was much less of a financial endeavor.
Some happy news from the pumps this Friday.
Regular self-serve has decreased over night by 2 cents a litre – the new max is 160 a litre.
Diesel is also down – dropping from 175.2 to 172.9 – a decrease of 2.3 cents a litre. pic.twitter.com/Sxm5DAhr1F
— MBS News (@MBSNewsMaritime) October 25, 2024
State-by-state, the price of gas tells a tale of sharp contrasts. In Delaware, the average cost dipped to $3.044, a welcome shift from last week’s $3.092. Yet, not even the First State can escape the clutches of higher costs than just a month ago, when drivers enjoyed prices closer to the $2.973 mark. Maryland follows suit, reporting a decrease to $3.131, but much like Delaware, drivers are still stinging from a previous month when things were a tad lighter on the pocketbook.
Heading further south, Virginia’s price tag now sits at $3.055. A slight decrease, but when you hit the gas station with fond memories of past prices, optimism dims quickly. Washington, D.C. isn’t spared from this drama either, with an average cost of $3.283—down from $3.292. Of course, this still places it well above previous months, ensuring that the nation’s capital retains its title as a costly pit stop for drivers.
Then there’s Texas, touting the title of the state with the lowest gas prices in the nation at a mere $2.695. A slight decline signifies a competitive edge, even if it did bounce back a bit from the previous week. And as for California? The Golden State continues to hold the shameful crown for the nation’s highest gas prices, standing at $4.604. Despite a decrease from last week’s outrageously high $4.653, Californians can’t help but wish they weren’t constantly siphoning funds into their gas tanks, while wondering what happened to those affordable days under better leadership.
As the race toward the elections heats up, one thing is certain: gas prices and the economy will remain pivotal topics—whether they innovate or simply do the shimmy downward, voters will be watching closely.
