Little Rock, Arkansas – Gas prices in Arkansas remained unchanged over the past week, with drivers across the state continuing to pay an average of $3.99 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, according to the latest figures released by AAA.
The statewide average for the week of October 4 was identical to the previous week’s price, keeping gasoline just one cent below the $4 mark.
Despite the stability, fuel costs remain considerably higher than they were a year earlier. AAA reported that Arkansas drivers are now paying $1.29 more per gallon compared with the same period last year.
The latest figures show that while prices have stopped rising in some areas, motorists are still facing significantly higher costs at the pump.
Arkansas also continues to have some of the lowest gasoline prices in the country, ranking ninth among states with the least expensive fuel.
Although the statewide average remained steady, prices differed among the state’s major metropolitan areas.
Drivers in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers region are paying the highest average among Arkansas’ major metros, with regular unleaded gasoline costing approximately $4.06 per gallon.
Hot Springs recorded the lowest metropolitan average in the state at $3.86 per gallon, making it one of the more affordable locations for drivers purchasing fuel.
In central Arkansas, the Little Rock-North Little Rock metropolitan area reported an average of $3.93 per gallon.
That figure was unchanged from the previous week, reflecting the broader stability seen across the state.
Meanwhile, Pine Bluff experienced a small decline in gasoline prices.
The city’s average dropped by two cents, falling from $3.99 a week earlier to $3.97 per gallon.
The differences between metropolitan areas show that fuel costs can vary depending on where drivers fill their tanks, even when the overall statewide average remains unchanged.
Across the United States, gasoline prices moved slightly lower during the same period.
AAA reported that the national average for regular unleaded gasoline fell by five cents over the past week, reaching $4.36 per gallon.
However, that figure remained $1.25 higher than the national average recorded at the same time last year.
Despite the weekly decline, gasoline prices nationwide continued to stand at record highs for this time of year.
According to the report, the national average remained above $4 per gallon in October for the first time on record.
The latest fuel price figures also came as crude oil prices began climbing again.
After trading in the low $80-per-barrel range for several days, crude oil rebounded above $90 per barrel on Thursday.
The movement in crude oil prices remains an important factor for the gasoline market, although changes in oil prices do not always appear immediately at the pump.
California continued to have the most expensive gasoline in the United States, with drivers paying an average of $6.34 per gallon.
Hawaii followed at $5.63, while Washington recorded an average of $5.46 and Nevada stood at $5.45.
Alaska and Oregon both reported averages of $5.02 per gallon.
Other states with high fuel costs included Idaho at $4.92, Utah at $4.89, Arizona at $4.71, and Illinois at $4.64.
At the opposite end of the rankings, Ohio had the nation’s lowest average gasoline price at $3.71 per gallon.
Indiana followed closely at $3.72, while Georgia averaged $3.84 and Texas stood at $3.87.
Mississippi and Louisiana both recorded averages of $3.94, followed by Tennessee at $3.97 and Alabama at $3.98.
Arkansas ranked next at $3.99, while Missouri reported an average of $4.03 per gallon.
For Arkansas motorists, the latest AAA report offers a week of relative stability, even as fuel prices remain substantially higher than a year ago.
Drivers interested in comparing gasoline prices in their area can check the latest local figures through the KARK Gas Tracker.
