Tennessee gas prices surge to highest average since 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Auto club group AAA reports for the first time in 7 years, Tennessee has reached average gas prices above $3.00 per gallon.

Gas prices jumped 12 cents over the last week, leading to an average of $3.01 per gallon. Despite the average, 67% of gas stations still are below the $3.00 average, the highest 10% reporting an average of $3.24 for unleaded.

Tennessee is still the 9th least-expensive market in the nation and below the $3.27 national average.

In a statement on the price hikes, AAA spokeswoman Megan Cooper stated “The key driver for this recent rise in the price of gas is crude oil, which typically accounts for between 50% and 60% of the price at the pump. And last week’s decision by OPEC and its oil-producing allies to not increase production further only exacerbated the upward momentum for crude oil prices.”

The most-expensive prices in Tennessee were found in Morristown ($3.07), Knoxville ($3.06), and Johnson City ($3.05). The least expensive markets are Chattanooga ($2.97), Clarksville ($2.98), and Cleveland ($2.99).

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