Fuel tax suspension leads to drop in Georgia gas prices

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(The Center Square) – Georgia drivers are paying 33 cents less for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline than they did last week, courtesy of a fuel tax suspension by Gov. Brian Kemp. 

A gallon of gas is $3.85, and while it is lower than last week, it's still 96 cents higher than last year, according to AAA.

"Drivers are getting some welcome relief at the pump as lower crude oil prices and Georgia's suspension of the state gas tax help keep fuel costs in check," said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. 

Diesel prices also decreased from $6.25 per gallon last week to $5.79 per gallon. A gallon of diesel cost $3.54 last year, according to AAA.

Georgia's fuel tax adds about 33 cents to gasoline and 37 cents to diesel fuel, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue. The money funds statewide transportation projects.

The least expensive average gas price in the Peach State is in Albany at $3.67 per gallon, followed by the northwest Georgia counties of Catoosa, Dade and Walker, where it is $3.69 a gallon, according to AAA.

Gas is most expensive in Atlanta ($3.91), Macon ($3.90) and Gainesville ($3.89). 

Georgia now has the lowest gas prices in the region. South Carolina has the next-lowest at $3.94 per gallon, followed by Tennessee at $3.94 and Alabama at $3.98. Gas prices are above $4 a gallon in North Carolina ($4.02) and Florida ($4.06). 

The national average for a gallon of unleaded gasoline is $4.37, according to AAA. Indiana continues to have the least expensive fuel because of a gas tax suspension there at $3.74 a gallon. Gov. Mike Braun extended a suspension of the state's fuel taxes through Nov. 4. 

Gas is more than $5 a gallon in Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii, according to AAA. Regular unleaded gas is $6.39 per gallon in California, the highest price in the nation.