WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2021—Motorists are filling up to some of the most expensive gas prices seen in more than a year according to the American Automobile Association.

With forced shutdown of gulf coast and some mid-west refineries due to last week’s winter weather, gasoline stocks have tightened and gas prices have skyrocketed.

On the week, 66 percent of state averages spiked by double digits (10–22 cents), driving the national average up by 13 cents to $2.63. 

That is the most expensive national average since October 2019, according to AAA.

“When close to 40 percent of U.S. crude production is offline because refineries are closed, there is going to be pain at the pump until operations resume,” said Jeanette Casselano McGee, AAA spokesperson. “The good news is the nearly two dozen impacted refiners are expected to restart operations this week, if they haven’t already. That means regular gasoline deliveries will resume and impacted stations will be re-fueled.”

Last week, refinery outages were reported in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kansas.

Gas prices are likely to be volatile until crude production is back to normal levels, according to AAA. Motorists can expect these more expensive prices to stick around, but large spikes are likely to subside.

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets

• Mississippi $2.27
• Louisiana $2.31
• Texas $2.32
• Alabama $2.35
• Arkansas $2.35
• Oklahoma $2.36
• Utah $2.38
• Missouri $2.38
• Tennessee $2.40
• South Carolina $2.42

AAA news release