LAPLACE — Louisiana gas prices have fallen 2.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.47/g today, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 2,436 stations.

Gas prices in Louisiana are 5.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, yet stand 8.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Louisiana is priced at $2.20/g today, while the most expensive is $3.07/g, a difference of 87 cents per gallon.

The cheapest price in the entire country today stands at $1.99/g while the most expensive is $5.65/g, a difference of $3.66/g.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.85/g today. The national average is up 2.1 cents per gallon from a month ago, yet stands 1.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Historical gasoline prices in Louisiana and the national average going back a decade: May 13, 2018: $2.56/g (U.S. Average: $2.86/g), May 13, 2017: $2.11/g (U.S. Average: $2.33/g), May 13, 2016: $1.98/g (U.S. Average: $2.22/g), May 13, 2015: $2.39/g (U.S. Average: $2.67/g), May 13, 2014: $3.42/g (U.S. Average: $3.64/g), May 13, 2013: $3.30/g (U.S. Average: $3.58/g), May 13, 2012: $3.54/g (U.S. Average: $3.73/g), May 13, 2011: $3.85/g (U.S. Average: $3.98/g), May 13, 2010: $2.76/g (U.S. Average: $2.87/g) and May 13, 2009: $2.17/g (U.S. Average: $2.27/g).

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:

• Baton Rouge – $2.39/g, down 5.4 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.44/g.

• Jackson – $2.47/g, down 2.4 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.49/g.

• New Orleans- $2.44/g, down 4.3 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.48/g.

Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said relief at the pump has begun across the country with a majority of states seeing average prices decline versus a week ago, “giving solid evidence the worst is likely behind us.”

“However, the potential lightning rod of a U.S./China trade deal is perhaps the only prospect that could bring a return to higher prices,” DeHaan said. “For now, just a dozen or so states saw prices rising while most moved lower, including California, but some pain may linger in Washington and Oregon where supply remains tight and prices high.

“We’ll be watching for refinery utilization rates to rise in this week’s report from the Energy Information Administration – it will be a critical data point on where and when more relief arrives. For most Americans, I think we’ll slowly all join in on the falling prices and by June, the national average may stand 5-20 cents lower than today, provided there’s no trade deal with the U.S. and China, whereas a trade deal could lead to a second hurrah at the pump.”