Staff Reports
Gas prices have decided to play a little game of hopscotch this week, reminding everyone just how whimsically unpredictable they can be. As of Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline sits at a delightful $3.024—up from last week’s CVS receipt rate of $3.018. It might not sound like a lot, but to drivers already dreading the end-of-month budgeting sessions, every penny feels like a cruel joke.
This bump in prices comes after a brief moment of respite when gas dipped to $3.011 just five days prior. It has been a rollercoaster ride since May, as prices steadily dropped and even made some folks nostalgic for those brief moments in 2021 when a gallon went for less than $3. The inflation-induced pain at the pump has been a top-tier concern for all American families, especially as those record-high prices of over $4 per gallon haunt the dreams of commuters everywhere. In case anyone forgot, those highs coincided with President Joe Biden’s tenure, sparking debates and discussions worthy of a political Shakespearean drama.
Karine Jean-Pierre is back to bragging about "lower" prices. Except……
— Grocery prices are still up 22.2% under Biden-Harris.
— Gas prices are still up ~30% under Biden-Harris.
— A typical Thanksgiving meal still costs ~20% more under Biden-Harris. pic.twitter.com/gRHgs7NX1D
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 21, 2024
Despite the rise, it’s worth noting that the current gas price average is actually lower than what people were paying last winter and spring. The Energy Information Administration has reported that this is the most reasonable pricing since May 2021. Of course, this statistic isn’t nearly as comforting when scrutinized against President Biden’s earlier promises to bring down those alarming prices—which, years later, only seem to echo around the White House halls like unwanted static. While gas may be a handful of cents cheaper now, it still lingers as a reminder that it’s more costly than during the golden years of the Trump administration.
The state-by-state gas price situation is another barrel of laughs. Oklahoma steals the show with an enviable average of $2.504 per gallon, while Hawaii continues to keep the ol’ gas-gouging tradition alive at around $4.538. One can’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for those in Hawaii. It’s hard to enjoy paradise when the gas prices are making wallets cry. Nonetheless, amidst this patchwork of prices, why isn’t there more conversation about energy independence? Instead, the current administration seems more keen on chasing wind and sunshine promises than actually harnessing America’s own energy resources.
Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware are all enjoying prices below the national average—reportedly a blessing for those gallivanting in the mid-Atlantic. But as prices fluctuate within just a few cents here and there, it’s hard to overlook that pesky truth: Americans are paying more today than they were just a few years ago. The irony is thick enough to cut with a knife, as Biden’s team makes wild claims about progress while everyone else is navigating the gas price maze and holding their breath every time they pull into a filling station.
