Monday is the conclusion to what was the most expensive April for gas prices in four years.

April Gas Prices

Nationally, gas prices averaged $2.72 per gallon in April, an increase of 33 cents from April 2017.

Throughout the month, the national average rose a total of 15 cents.

Georgia gas prices averaged $2.63 in April, an increase of 36 cents from April 2017.

Throughout the month, the state average rose a total of 16 cents.  

Georgia gas prices averaged $2.73 on Sunday. The state average stands at its highest daily average since September 2017. Click here to view today's average.

Sunday's state average is 7 cents more than last week, 16 cents more than a month ago, and 47 cents more than last year.

Sunday's national average of $2.81 is 5 cents more than a week ago and the highest daily average in more than three years (November 2014).

The most expensive gas price averages in Georgia are in Atlanta ($2.76), Brunswick ($2.75), and Athens ($2.75)

The least expensive gas price averages in Georgia are in Augusta-Aiken ($2.63), Warner Robins ($2.64), and Columbus ($2.64)

"Although this was the most expensive April gas prices we've seen in years, fuel is still nearly a dollar less than what we paid in April 2014," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "The higher prices at the pump are mainly a result of a tightening oil market, which leaves us prone to price hikes based on geopolitical tensions and supply shortage concerns. Crude prices are about 33 percent more expensive than they were this time last year. Expensive oil means expensive gasoline."

Strong Fuel Exports Prevent Significant Supply Builds; Gasoline Demand Declines

Average Gas Price in April

                  2014    2015    2016    2017    2018

National    $3.64    $2.44    $2.10    $2.39    $2.72
Florida       $3.71    $2.51    $2.08    $2.42    $2.67
Georgia      $3.60    $2.30    $2.06    $2.27    $2.63
Tennessee  $3.47    $2.21    $1.92    $2.15    $2.51

Fuel prices rose even after crude oil and gasoline supplies increased last week. Oil stocks rose 0.1 percent and gasoline climbed 0.4 percent. However, these gains would have been more significant had the U.S. not exported a record amount of fuel. Crude oil exports surged to 2.3 million barrels per day, shattering the previous record of 2.175-million, according to the Energy Information Administration's latest supply data. The main recipients of U.S. fuel exports were Central and South America, and firms in Europe and Asia. Despite U.S. oil production rates at 14 percent better than a year ago, inventory levels are down 10 percent.

Meanwhile, demand slipped last week, contributing to the growth in gasoline stocks. Gasoline demand sank to its lowest level in nearly two months, declining 8 percent from the previous week. Analysts are unsure whether this is a one-week quirk or if high gasoline prices are causing drivers to cutback.

Refinery maintenance season is not over yet, as evidenced by the latest EIA data dump. Crude runs fell by more than 300,000 barrels per day last week, dropping 4 percent below a year ago.