AAA: Tennessee gas prices rise 30 Cents
PRESS RELEASE FROM AAA - THE AUTO CLUB GROUP:
NASHVILLE, Tenn., (March 23, 2026) — Gas prices across the state moved 30 cents more expensive, on average, over last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.64 which is $1.09 more expensive than one month ago and 96 cents more than one year ago.
“Tennessee pump prices have risen over a dollar more expensive since the beginning of the month, and we’re now seeing the most expensive gas prices since August 2022,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Elevated crude oil prices, the seasonal switch to summer blend gasoline and an expected rise in gasoline demand are all placing upward pressure on prices at the pump.”
National Gas Prices
Last week marked the official start of Spring and prices at the pump continued to climb by 24 cents since last week. With the Spring equinox ushering in warmer weather and more time on the road, gas prices are trending upward alongside seasonal demand. The recent announcement by the White House to release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves over four months has no immediate relief on the oil market as the price of a barrel of crude continues to climb.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 9.24 million b/d to 8.72 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 249.5 million barrels to 244.0 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.4 million barrels per day.
National Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose 11 cents to settle at $96.32 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 6.2 million barrels from the previous week. At 449.3 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 1% below the five year average for this time of year.
Tennessee Regional Prices
- Most expensive metro markets – Nashville ($3.69), Cleveland ($3.67), Clarksville ($3.67)
- Least expensive metro markets – Morristown ($3.54), Johnson City ($3.59), Knoxville ($3.60)
Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:
- Chattanooga – $3.299/g, up 0.23 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.072/g.
- Nashville – $3.344/g, up 0.24 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.103/g.
- Memphis – $3.623/g, up 0.18 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.442/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.
Ways to save at the pump
- Shop around. Download the AAA mobile app to compare prices near you and find lower-cost stations in your area.
- Determine fuel costs for your trip by using the AAA’s Gas Cost Calculator.
- Join savings programs. Drivers who enroll in the AAA Fuel Rewards program can save money on every fill up where applicable.
- Pay with cash or the lower-cost method if the station offers different prices by payment type.
- Use loyalty programs and coupons offered by grocery chains and retailers.
- Choose regular grade when your owner’s manual recommends it rather than premium.
- Plan routes to avoid heavy traffic where stop-and-go conditions waste fuel.
- Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained to optimize its fuel economy. Visit AAA.com/AutoRepair to find a certified repair shop.
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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