City tops rest of state in gas price

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: July 29, 2008

The cost of a gallon of regular, self-serve gasoline in Virginia has dropped 14 cents in 14 days, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Average gasoline prices in the Charlottesville area dropped a penny from Monday to Tuesday to $3.92, mimicking decreases elsewhere in the state. However, prices in the Charlottesville area remain higher than elsewhere in the state.

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gasoline Tuesday in Norfolk was $3.84 and $3.80 in Richmond and Roanoke. The average Virginia price was $3.86, while the national average was $3.94.

Windy VanCuren, AAA spokeswoman, said the recent drop in prices correlates with a $23 drop in the cost of a barrel of crude oil. The price of the oil accounts for about 75 percent of the cost of a gallon of gasoline.

VanCuren said Charlot-tesville’s prices are more expensive because of a high cost of living. Northern Virginia is considered part of the Washington, D.C., metro area, VanCuren said, where the average price of gasoline was $3.97 a gallon on Tuesday.

Although gasoline prices typically rise from Memorial Day through the rest of the summer, VanCuren said this year is different.

“Demand has decreased,” she said. “Because it has decreased and because price has been so high, it will start to correct itself and we will see prices drop.”

VanCuren said drivers should realize this decrease might not last. Gas prices are about $1 more expensive per gallon than last year, she said, and oil prices may shoot back up again.