Chattanooga gas prices drop 2.9 cents per gallon last week

Chattanooga gas prices reversed a month of rising fuel price increase last week and fell to an average of $1.99 per gallon at the start of the week, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 170 gas outlets in Chattanooga.

Chattanooga gas prices, on average, were 20 cents per gallon below the U.S average of $2.19 per gallon. GasBuddy.com said Tuesday that gas prices in Chattanooga are up nearly 22 cents a gallon from a month ago and are 6 cents a gallon from the same time a year ago.

But fuel prices are likely to head lower this fall, GasBuddy analysts said.

"With the summer driving season now behind us, what we see ahead looks terrific for motorists," said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. "Demand decreases for gasoline will accelerate as we progress toward autumn, and combined with the return of winter gasoline next week Friday, gasoline prices will track lower more often than the opposite. The only possible wrench could be a major hurricane that takes aim for the Gulf of Mexico, where many oil rigs and refiners are located, or a sudden cut in oil output from OPEC."

In Chattanooga, gas prices today are the cheapest at the Sam's Club gas station on Lee Highway where gas is priced at $1.90 per gallon.