AAA: Lower Crude Oil Prices Driving Down Gas Price Average

August 6, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

AAA reports that the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline fell three cents this past week to $4.06. Crude oil prices are down in the $70 per barrel range amid optimism that the Strait of Hormuz will resume normal operations. Currently, half of states are paying below $4 per gallon on average. Gas prices typically start going down this time of year, as many schools and universities begin fall semesters, and fewer people are taking road trips compared to earlier in the summer. The Delaware gas price average is $4.07 today, down 8 cents in the last week and 92 cents higher than one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $4.04 today, down 12 cents in the last week and up 96 cents compared to one year ago. 

 

Additional Information from AAA:

The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 42 cents. 

CURRENT AND PAST GAS PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline (*indicates record high)

 

08/06/26

Week Ago

Year Ago

National

$4.06

$4.09

$3.17

Pennsylvania

$4.16

$4.21

$3.15

Philadelphia

(5-county)

$4.18

$4.25

$3.17

South Jersey

$4.04

$4.16

$3.08

Delaware

$4.07

$4.15

$3.15

Crude Oil

$75.22 per barrel

(08/05/26)

$84.46 per barrel

(07/29/26)

$65.38 per barrel (08/06/25)

 

CURRENT EV COST AVERAGES

Per kWh of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station

 

08/06/26

Week Ago

National

$0.42

$0.42

Pennsylvania

$0.43

$0.43

Delaware

$0.38

$0.38

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased slightly last week from 9.04 million barrels per day to 9.03 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 211.3 million barrels to 209.7 million. Gasoline production also decreased, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.

 

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell 55 cents to settle at $75.22 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories increased by 2.5 million barrels from the previous week. At 407 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.

 

The Weekend

“Drivers have undoubtedly noticed pump prices dropping in the past week, following a sharp decline in crude oil proves,” said Jana Tidwell, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “This is welcome news for road trippers looking for last minute getaways as the summer season winds down.”

 

AAA has a variety of resources to help motorists save on fuel:

 

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