National average gas price averages held steady at $2.18 despite a slight jump in demand, AAA said.

At 8.8 million barrels per day, gasoline demand is just 6% below levels last year at this time. However, the increase isn’t substantial enough to impact supply levels or pump prices. 

Fuel price trends were unhindered by Hurricane Delta, which made landfall in southwestern Louisiana as a category 2 hurricane. While the storm caused some disruptions, refineries are reporting operations have resumed. 

“In a typical year, a hurricane season like we’ve experienced this year would have caused gas prices to spike, but 2020 is not a typical year,” said Jeanette Casselano McGee, AAA spokesperson. “Low U.S. gasoline demand has helped contain any impact to gas prices locally and regionally throughout this hurricane season.”

Today, motorists can find gas for $2.25 or cheaper at 72% of gas stations, compared to 12% last October, AAA said. The national average is a penny less than last month and 45 cents cheaper than last year.

“The vast majority of motorists are seeing stability at the pump, even despite Hurricane Delta. On the week 45 state gas price averages only fluctuated by one or two pennies, if at all. Demand just is not strong enough to outpace supply, which means drivers are continuing to benefit from cheaper prices at the pump,” added McGee.

The nation’s top 10 largest weekly changes are Delaware (up 9 cents), Washington, D.C. (up 6 cents), Maryland (up 6 cents), Indiana (up 5 cents), South Carolina (up 3 cents), Ohio (down 3 cents), Wisconsin (down 3 cents), Illinois (down 3 cents), Florida (down 2 cents) and Idaho (down 2 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets Mississippi ($1.85), Texas ($1.85), Missouri ($1.87), Oklahoma ($1.87), Arkansas ($1.88), Louisiana ($1.90), Alabama ($1.90), South Carolina ($1.94), Tennessee ($1.94) and Kansas ($1.95).