AAA: Memorial Day weekend gas prices highest since 2014, but down two cents since last week

Tennessee gas prices are down by nearly two cents on the week as over 687,000 Tennesseans prepare to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend. according to AAA.

The Tennessee gas price average is now $2.88 which is 18 cents more than one month ago and $1.18 more than one year ago.

“Tennesseans planning to take a road trip this weekend for Memorial Day will see the most expensive prices at the pump since 2014,” said Megan Cooper, of AAA - The Auto Club Group. “We’ve seen gas prices stabilize following the Colonial Pipeline shutdown, however, with the expected increase in travel demand we’re likely to see gas price fluctuations leading up to the holiday weekend.”

Quick facts

•92% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.00

•The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.65 for regular unleaded

•The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.14 for regular unleaded

National gas prices

AAA said that motorists hitting the road this week to celebrate the unofficial kick-off to summer will be greeted with the most expensive Memorial Day weekend gas prices since 2014.

The national average has stabilized following the Colonial Pipeline cyber-attack, but pump prices are likely to fluctuate leading up to the holiday weekend. Over the past weekend, the national gas price average declined a penny to $3.03, the first decrease in two weeks. While barely cheaper on the week, the average is 17 cents more than last month and $1.12 more expensive than last year.

Some fuel stations in the southeast continue to experience supply strain. This is likely to extend into the holiday weekend, but motorists will be able to fill-up.

“Holiday road trippers may come across some gas stations with low fuel supply in popular travel destinations, like beaches, mountains or national parks. However, markets are not expected to be fuel-less, like we saw in the wake of the pipeline shutdown,” Cooper said.