Gas and diesel prices continue to drop across the U.S. but are still substantially higher than this last year.
According to AAA, the national average for regular unleaded gasoline on July 20 was $4.46 per gallon, compared to $4.63 a week ago and $4.98 a month ago. But it is still considerably more than the $3.16 consumers paid a year ago.
Diesel prices were $5.49 a gallon, compared to $5.61 the prior week and $5.81 a month ago. But it is still much higher than the $3.27 price consumers paid a year ago.
Compared to the rest of the country, producers in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina and other southeastern states, other than Florida, pay the cheapest prices for gasoline, estimated between $3.97 and $4.17 per gallon. Georgia’s average is $3.98. Alabama’s average is $4.04.
Florida consumers are classified one notch above the cheapest, between $4.17 and $4.41 per gallon. Its average is $4.20.
Gas and diesel prices are just one factor that contribute to input expenses increasing for producers.