Monday, March 16, 2026–8:40 a.m.
-AAA South-
Spring Break travel demand, paired with rising crude oil prices, is continuing to push gas prices higher across the state. The average price for a gallon of regular has risen to $3.51, up from last week, with drivers likely to see continued day-to-day fluctuations.
“As more drivers take to the roads for Spring Break, gas prices are increasing, driven in large part by crude oil costs that have climbed past $100 a barrel,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “While prices remain comparable to last spring, coordinated releases from U.S. and international oil reserves are expected to help slow further increases.”
Compared to recent benchmarks:
- 29 cents higher than last week
- 79 cents higher than last month
- 61 cents higher than this time last year
For those filling up a standard 15-gallon tank, the cost now comes to approximately $52.65.
Local averages on Monday were $3.47 in Floyd County, $3.42 in Polk County, and $3.38 in Chattooga County.
Gordon County had the highest average at $3.57, followed by Bartow County at $3.56.
Nationally: Gas Prices Rise as Spring Break Begins
Spring Break season is underway, and the national average price for a gallon of regular gas has climbed nearly 24 cents in the past week to $3.69. Prices now mirror what drivers paid last spring as warmer weather and increased travel boost demand. Crude oil prices remain a major factor at the pump, recently topping $100 a barrel. To help ease rising costs, the U.S. will release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves over the next four months as part of a broader International Energy Agency plan to release 400 million barrels, the largest emergency release in history.
