Tennessee gas prices surge 42 Cents
PRESS RELEASE FROM GASBUDDY:
NASHVILLE, Tenn., (March 9, 2026) — Tennessee gas prices surged 42 cents higher, on average, over last week in response to the conflict in Iran. The state gas price average also moved above $3 per gallon for the first time since August 2024. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.03 which is 48 cents more expensive than one month ago and 35 cents more than one year ago.
“With crude oil prices surging again over the weekend, Tennessee drivers should prepare for another round of increases at the pump in the coming days,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “About 60% of what we pay at the pump is in direct correlation to the price of crude. Because of this, any time we see sharp rises in the price of crude oil, we typically expect to see our gas prices rise as well.”
Fuel Market Key Points
- Crude oil prices soared 36 percent last week. Friday’s closing price hit $90.90 per barrel, nearly $24 higher than the previous week and the highest since September 2023.
- Oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has come to a stop due to safety concerns, limiting global supply and pushing the price of oil even higher. This channel normally handles about 20 percent of the world’s oil.
- Despite global uncertainties, U.S. fuel deliveries remain uninterrupted and stations are being supplied as normal.
- This week’s price increases are driven by rising crude oil costs, not a lack of fuel supply.
- How much further prices will rise will depend on how long the conflict lasts, when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes, and how global supply and demand adjust.
National Gas Prices
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped 48 cents since last week to $3.47. The conflict in the Middle East has sent crude oil prices surging to over $100/barrel. The recent increase puts the national average at the same price as it was in early April of 2025. Springtime typically sees higher gas prices as gasoline demand rises and summer-blend gasoline production begins. The last time the national average made a similar weekly jump was back in March of 2022 during the start of the Russia/Ukraine conflict.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.73 million b/d to 8.29 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 254.8 million barrels to 253.1 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.3 million barrels per day.
Tennessee Regional Prices
- Most expensive metro markets – Nashville ($3.10), Chattanooga ($3.07), Clarksville ($3.06)
- Least expensive metro markets – Knoxville ($2.95), Morristown ($2.95), Kingsport ($2.97)
Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:
- Chattanooga – $3.072/g, up 0.46 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.610/g.
- Nashville – $3.103/g, up 0.43 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.670/g.
- Memphis – $3.038/g, up 0.37 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.670/g.
Ways to get the most out of every tank
- Avoid rapid starts and hard braking to improve fuel efficiency.
- Maintain steady speeds and use cruise control when appropriate.
- Lighten your load by removing unnecessary cargo and roof racks.
- Check tire pressure monthly and keep tires inflated to the recommended level.
- Keep up with maintenance, including oil changes and air filter replacement.
- Combine errands to limit cold starts and unnecessary trips.
Gas Price Survey Methodology
AAA updates fuel price averages daily at www.GasPrices.AAA.com. Every day up to 130,000 stations are surveyed based on credit card swipes and direct feeds in cooperation with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability. All average retail prices in this report are for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline.
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