Gulf Coast region gas prices rose from last week. By how much?

Yahoo! News - Mar 26th, 2025
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Gas prices in the Gulf Coast region have increased to an average of $2.74 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This marks a rise from last week's price of $2.63 and represents a 4-cent increase over the past month. The Gulf Coast region, which includes states like Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas, has seen gas prices fluctuate over the past year, with prices ranging from as low as $2.56 in December 2024 to as high as $3.24 in May 2024. Currently, the region's gas prices remain about 12% lower than the national average, which stood at $3.12 per gallon last week, up from $3.06 the previous week.

The rise in regional gas prices comes amidst broader economic factors influencing fuel costs, including fluctuations in crude oil prices and seasonal demand changes. The fact that the Gulf Coast's prices are significantly below the national average may offer some relief to consumers in the region, though it still reflects the overall trend of increasing fuel costs. This development is significant as it impacts transportation costs and consumer spending, potentially influencing economic activity in these areas. The localized reporting of this data by the USA TODAY Network underscores the importance of understanding regional economic conditions within the broader national context.

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RATING

8.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and factual account of recent gas price changes in the Gulf Coast region, supported by data from a reputable source. Its strengths lie in its accuracy, clarity, and timeliness, offering readers up-to-date information in an accessible format. However, the article's focus on raw data limits its engagement and impact, as it lacks broader context or analysis that could deepen understanding or spark discussion. While it effectively informs readers about current price trends, its potential to influence public opinion or drive meaningful debate is constrained by its narrow scope and absence of narrative elements. Overall, the article serves as a reliable source of information, but could benefit from additional context and analysis to enhance its relevance and engagement.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article provides a detailed account of gas price changes in the Gulf Coast region, citing specific figures and dates. For instance, it mentions an increase from $2.63 to $2.74 per gallon, which aligns with data typically available from reliable sources like the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). However, certain claims, such as the specific low and high prices on December 16, 2024, and May 6, 2024, need verification against historical data. The article states that the average national gas price was $3.12, which should be cross-referenced with EIA's national averages for accuracy. Overall, the story appears factually solid, but the precision of some figures requires confirmation.

7
Balance

The article primarily focuses on presenting statistical data about gas prices, which inherently limits the range of perspectives. It does not explore the underlying causes of price changes or include viewpoints from industry experts or consumers. While the data-driven approach minimizes bias, it omits broader economic or social contexts that could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of these price fluctuations.

9
Clarity

The article is clear and concise, with a straightforward presentation of gas price statistics. The language is neutral and factual, making it easy for readers to understand the key points. The inclusion of specific dates and prices helps in maintaining clarity. However, the narrative could benefit from additional context or explanations regarding the significance of these price changes.

9
Source quality

The article cites the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) as its primary source, which is a reputable and authoritative entity for energy statistics. This enhances the credibility and reliability of the reported figures. However, the article could have strengthened its source quality by including additional expert commentary or analysis from economists or industry analysts to provide context to the raw data.

8
Transparency

The article is transparent about its data sources, explicitly mentioning the U.S. Energy Information Administration. It also provides a link to an interactive tool for readers to explore gas price changes, which adds a layer of transparency. However, the methodology behind how these prices are calculated or any potential limitations of the data are not discussed, which could enhance transparency further.

Sources

  1. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_dcus_r30_w.htm
  2. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=pet&s=emm_epm0u_pte_r30_dpg&f=m
  3. https://www.automotive-fleet.com/10236860/march-2025-fuel-price-update-decline-across-the-country-despite-uncertainty-ahea
  4. https://ycharts.com/indicators/us_gulf_coast_conventional_gasoline_regular_spot_price