CINCINNATI, Oh. (August 26, 2019)— At $2.59, the national gas price average is poised to be potentially the cheapest Labor Day weekend average in three years. Today’s average is already nearly a quarter cheaper than during last year’s holiday ($2.83) and four cents cheaper than 2017’s Labor Day ($2.63).

“For Americans who bookend summer with road trips, they will find gas prices this coming weekend that are cheaper than this past Memorial Day and last year’s Labor Day holiday,” said Jenifer Moore, AAA spokesperson. “At the start of the week, two-thirds of all states have gas price averages that are nearly a quarter cheaper than last year.”

While some states may see gas prices increase by a few pennies ahead of the holiday weekend, which isn’t atypical, any jumps will be short-term.

Local Labor Day Gas Price Outlook

Ohio gas prices are also trending cheaper at $2.59 per gallon making today’s statewide average nearly a quarter cheaper than a year ago.

On the week, the majority of Great Lakes and Central states, saw pump prices push cheaper by as much as three cents. All states in the region are averaging a year-over-year pump savings of 20 cents or more except Illinois (-13 cents), which is at the lowest end of the price drop spectrum in the region.

With a 1 million bbl build, gasoline stocks increased for a third week and sit at their highest level since early April of this year, according to EIA data. Regional refinery utilization held strong at 99%, indicating that the region should expect cheaper gas prices next month with one stipulation being any refinery maintenance planned for this fall.

AAA ‘Pumps Up’ Distracted Driving Messaging

As drivers fill up the gas tank to hit the road this Labor Day holiday weekend, AAA is reminding them to put their phones down while driving. AAA has placed important safety reminders aimed at changing attitudes and behaviors surrounding the deadly problem of distracted driving at unlikely places: gas pumps.

AAA’s “Don’t Drive Intexticated.” initiative targets drivers who would never consider drinking a beer behind the wheel and, yet, regularly engage with mobile devices that dangerously take their eyes, hands and minds off driving.

“Where better to remind drivers to put down their phones than when they are filling up?” continued Moore. “Distracted driving is such a widespread, dangerous and potentially deadly behavior that AAA must be innovative in its efforts to raise awareness and effect change”.

Responding to a recent AAA survey, more than 70% of Ohio drivers said they notice more drivers distracted by electronic devices now than two years ago.

AAA’s “Don’t Drive Intoxicated, Don’t Drive Intexticated” campaign, first introduced here in Ohio in April, effectively compares texting and driving with drinking and driving - as both are dangerous behaviors that too often result in injury or death. The new gas station signage is part of AAA’s multi-year effort to reverse this disturbing trend.

The ‘pumped up’ messaging at select gas stations will be directly on the pump handle and/or sitting atop the pumps themselves.

AAA is the most comprehensive resource for gas prices. AAA reports reflect actual prices from credit card transactions at more than 100,000 gas stations in the U.S. Check the latest gas prices anytime by visiting the AAA Gas Prices site.

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AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and nearly two and a half million members in Ohio.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.