Area gas prices on the move

Gas prices are up 10 cents from last week and an expert said Chattanooga residents should expect variable pricing for the rest of the year.

According to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in Chattanooga was $2.66 on Saturday, up from $2.56 last week and $2.50 in September.

Still, Chattanooga prices fall below the national average of $2.83 cents and Tennessee ranks as one of the 10 states with the lowest prices, along with Alabama, the report states.

Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for gasbuddy.com, said he does not predict gas prices to reach the 2008 record of $4 a gallon anytime soon.

"It's kind of a roller-coaster ride," DeHaan said. "We're on the way up right now, and in a few weeks will be on the way down. I think that roller coaster will continue throughout the rest of the year."

Overall, DeHaan predicts a 3- to 7-cent per gallon increase in the next week followed by a drop in early November. Gas prices will probably rise again with the upcoming holiday travel, DeHaan said.

STRETCH YOUR FUEL* Leave your air conditioner on or off, don't change it frequently.* Only leave your car idling on extremely hot or cold days.* The harder and faster you drive, the more fuel you use.* Good maintenance of air filters, fuel filters and injectors improves mileage.Source: Glenn Thomas, manager of Import Auto Body in Chattanooga

Other oil analysts disagree.

Tony Kloza, chief oil analyst at Oil Price Information Service, said the price of crude oil rose from $72 a barrel in September to $82 in October.

Kloza and DeHaan blame the increase on the growing interest in investing in fuel. But Kloza stressed that the increase is temporary and said drivers shouldn't panic.

"People see the increases and start calculating and predicting how much it will be in the future," Kloza said. He agreed with DeHaan that prices will drop by Thanksgiving weekend.

Some Chattanooga residents said rising prices haven't hindered their plans.

Curtis Buckels, filling up Saturday at the Mr. Zip on Gunbarrel Road, said he just got back from a trip to Atlanta. He said his family recently bought a Volvo SUV because it is safer for his toddler granddaughter.

"You just keep doing what you have to," Buckels said. "Safety is the most important issue for us."

One local gas provider gave Chattanooga residents a little break last week. Mapco Express sold regular gas for $1.10 at 1:10 p.m. for 110 minutes on Oct. 10, 2010 or 10/10/10.

Tammy Slagle, store manager for the Chattanooga Mapco express on Ringgold Road, said more than 400 people took advantage of the promotion .

So where are the best prices in Chattanooga? According to gasbuddy.com, the Shell station, Sam's Club and Murphy Express, all on Lee Highway, have the best prices, averaging in the $2.50 range.


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