VALDOSTA — Gas prices in South Georgia crept upward slightly over the past week, following state and national trends.
The average price for a gallon of gas Friday in Valdosta was $3.09, up two cents in seven days, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report.
The lowest price for gasoline reported Friday in the Azalea City was $2.89 per gallon at a Baytree Road store, while the lowest price reported in Tifton was $2.86 per gallon at a retailer on US-41 North, according to the price tracking website gasbuddy.com.
Valdosta had the third highest fuel prices Friday among the 15 Georgia markets monitored by the auto club; behind Savannah and Brunswick but ahead of Warner Robins, Rome, Macon, Hinesville, Gainesville, Dalton, Columbus, Catoosa, Augusta, Atlanta, Athens and Albany.
Nationally, the average price of gasoline was $3.17 per gallon, up two cents in a week, while the average Georgia price of $3.03 per gallon was up a penny in the same period, AAA said.
“Gas prices will likely start increasing around Valentine’s Day,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson.
In Friday’s market action, benchmark U.S. crude oil for March delivery rose 62 cents to $76.84 per barrel Friday. Brent crude for April delivery rose 56 cents to $82.19 per barrel.
Wholesale gasoline for March delivery was unchanged at $2.34 a gallon. March heating rose 7 cents to $2.96 a gallon. March natural gas fell 7 cents to $1.85 per 1,000 cubic feet.