Pump prices moved slightly lower last week on falling demand numbers. Gasoline consumption dropped for the fifth week in a row, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

After the price for a barrel of oil jumped nearly $7, it moved lower when the EIA reported gasoline inventories rose the most in 11 months during the first week of December. Total fuel demand is down 7 percent; the least since October.

"Drivers should see gas prices move lower this week. However, the decrease may be fleeting, since the Christmas holiday is next week," said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. "A few weeks ago, it looked like Thanksgiving travelers would pay some of the lowest pump prices of the year. Instead, millions of motorists watched gas prices spike.

“It’s not likely gas prices will jump as high as they did before Thanksgiving, but they may gain back any losses made during the two weeks prior to Christmas.”
 
The national average for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $3.23, 3-cents less than last week. Florida's average of $3.39 and Georgia’s average of $3.19 both fell 4 cents from last week. Tennessee's average of $3.08 decreased 5 cents from last week.

CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline       
 

                                       Current         Week Ago         Month Ago           Year Ago

National:                               $3.233           $3.264               $3.199               $3.270

Florida:                                 $3.388           $3.428                $3.208              $3.279

Georgia:                               $3.188            $3.228               $3.184               $3.194

Tennessee:                           $3.079           $3.128              $3.055               $3.066