Gainesville continues to see higher gas prices, however prices at the pump statewide are trickling down.
Gainesville was tied for second with the highest price at $2.86, according to AAA, sharing that with nearby Athens. Atlanta had the highest price with an average of $2.88.
The lowest prices in Georgia were in Augusta-Aiken at $2.67.
In the state, prices declined two cents last week to an average of $2.82 - nine cents more than a month ago and 60 cents more than this time last year.
National prices reached $2.95 per gallon, also down two cents from last week.
"Gas prices could drop 10-15 cents, based on recent oil price declines," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA. "The discount will not happen overnight, because it usually takes a couple weeks for shifts like this to play out at the pump. However, any downward potential would be wiped out if futures prices suddenly bounce higher."
Crude oil prices hit 7-week lows last week as the dollar gained strength and U.S. oil rig count reached the highest level since March 2015. These factors compounded the downward pressure on crude - initiated when Russia and Saudi Arabia revealed interest in raising crude output. The price of oil sank to $65.81 on Friday, after reaching a 4-year high of $72.24 per barrel just two weeks ago.
