Why are gas prices going up? Demand, change to summer blend have TN drivers paying more at the pump

Joyce Orlando, USA TODAY NETWORK

Gas prices in Tennessee are creeping up once again, but it's still cheaper than it was last year...slightly.

The average gas price for Tennessee this week jumped over the $3 mark and now sits at $3.08, just a few cents shy of what it was at the same time in 2023, according to AAA. Many communities in Tennessee have surpassed the $3 mark but there are a handful of counties still under.

It has been a slow creep up the last month, but there could be a steep spike soon.

“This is the time of year we normally see pump prices start to rise,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “And while prices have been rather pokey so far, they should begin to accelerate and move higher very soon.”

This shift in prices comes as seasonal demand trends higher along with higher costs for oil and the switch to the summer blend of gasoline that runs 10-15 cents higher, reports AAA.

Gas prices near me: Average prices in counties across Tennessee

Gas prices on average in Tennessee as of mid-March hit $3.08. Some communities are seeing higher prices others lower. Here's a look at some of the average prices in counties across the state according to AAA.

  • Davidson County: $3.11

  • Knox County: $3.05

  • Shelby County: $3.11

  • Williamson County: $3.32

  • Highest gas price on average in the state: Williamson County, $3.32

  • Lowest gas price on average in the state: White County, $2.92

Keep up with the latest average gas prices at gasprice.aaa.com.

For your local gas prices in real time, check out gasbuddy.com.

What's the difference between summer blend and winter blend gasoline?

The biggest difference between the winter and summer blend gasoline comes down to the fuel’s Reid Vapor Pressure which measures how easily the fuel evaporates at a given temperature.

Winter-blend gas has a higher Reid Vapor Pressures that allows the fuel to evaporate at low temperatures for the engine to operate properly. Summer-blend gas is lower to prevent excessive evaporation when outside temperatures rise, according to AAA.

The difference between the two is also the price tag, summer blend fuel is more expensive to make than winter blend fuel. According to the National Association of Convenience Stores fuel news, the production process takes longer and, second, the overall yield of gasoline per barrel of oil is lower. All of this adds up to as much as 15 cents more per gallon to produce these higher-grade fuels.

The summer blend may cost a bit more, but you usually get better gas mileage for those summer road trips.

Gas prices in Tennessee: 2023 vs. 2024

Gas prices are a bit cheaper than they were a year ago in the state, but not by much.

In March 2023, the average price of gas across the state was $3.14.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why are gas prices going up? Summer means a bigger cost at the pump

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