As gas prices fall nationwide, prices in Richmond area are still high

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- While gas prices across the nation are on a decline, the Richmond metro area's still fall on the higher side, per a new report.

The national average gas price has fallen below $3 for the first time since May 2021, according to a recent report by GasBuddy.

"We haven’t seen the national average fall this low in over four years, and the speed and breadth of the decline are remarkable," said Patrick De Haan, head petroleum analyst at GasBuddy.

Haan calls this a "welcomed break" for Americans ahead of the holiday season and adds that this comes as "refinery maintenance season concludes and gasoline demand weakens seasonally."

The statewide average gas price in Virginia is $2.85 as of Friday, Nov. 28.

Looking closer at prices in the Richmond metro area, on the whole, the region is paying an average of $2.92 a gallon -- which is on the higher end. According to the report, gas prices at $2.87 to $3.00 fall into the category of more expensive gas price averages.

Localities that appear to be driving up that average are Chesterfield, Henrico and Goochland counties, which are the areas with the highest gas prices in the Richmond metro area.

• Henrico County: $3.003 per gallon on average
• Goochland County: $3.002 per gallon on average
• Chesterfield County: $2.93 per gallon on average

By contrast, King William County, Petersburg and Hopewell are seeing gas prices on the lower end of the spectrum. Petersburg's paying $2.81 per gallon, while Hopewell's prices are $2.84 per gallon. In King William, gas is selling for $2.80 per gallon.

Even the River City itself is on the lower end, coming in at an average of $2.82 a gallon.

Records for these averages date back to 2008. In January 2009, the Richmond area saw gas price averages at a record low of $1.48 per gallon. In June 2022, the region saw gas price averages at a record high of $4.95 per gallon.

So far this year, the Richmond area has seen average gas prices at their lowest on March 13, with prices at $2.78 per gallon. Gas prices were their highest on June 16, with an average of $3.26 per gallon.

On this day, Nov. 28, the Richmond area saw average gas prices at their lowest in 2008 at $1.68 per gallon and at their highest in 2022, with gas prices reaching an average of $3.34 per gallon.

For more real-time data and to see what gas prices are like in your area, click here.