Mississippi gas prices increased sharply this week. Will cost keep rising into summer?
Gas prices in the state have spiked 10 cents per gallon in the last week, inching closer and closer to March’s record high.
According to the AAA average gas price index, Mississippi’s average gas price Friday is $3.88.
Patrick De Haan of Gasbuddy.com said Mississippi is one of only 15 states with average gas prices below $4 per gallon. He expects the increases to start slowing down again soon.
“I think we’re somewhere in the 7th inning stretch.”
The climb has been slower across the Coast, rising from $3.76 last week to $3.83 today. For the most part, Mississippi’s southeastern counties have had lower averages than the rest of the state, with Harrison, Jackson, Hancock and Pearl River reporting some of the lowest prices per gallon of unleaded gas.
At $4.23 a gallon, Claiborne County has the most expensive gas in the state. Perry County is hovering at $4 per gallon, the fifth highest average in the state.
Here’s a cost breakdown for the South Mississippi area as of 12 p.m. Friday:
- Harrison County: $3.82
Jackson County: $3.83
Hancock County: $3.86
Pearl River County: $3.86
Stone County: $3.89
George County: $3.90
This time last year, gas was averaging at $2.59 per gallon in the Magnolia State.
Experts say a variety of factors could keep gas prices high for the next few months, including summer tourism and ongoing tension with Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.
This story was originally published May 6, 2022 at 4:02 PM.
