FLOWOOD - Workers packed up ladders after posting lower gas price numbers just in time for lunch-hour rush.
The American Automobile Association pegged average gas prices for Mississippi this weekend as $1.80. But prices along bustling Lakeland Drive were dipping lower Tuesday. At the Shell Sprint Mart, regular gas was selling for $1.69.
"We just changed our prices about five minutes ago from $1.73," said Shell employee Joyce Horton. "We have the same number of customers as usual right now. It usually takes about 10 minutes for people to notice the change, then business picks up. People drive around at lunch time looking for the best price."
The AAA tracks gas prices by tallying credit card receipts. There is normally a delay of about one business day to post gas price changes. The average gas price in Mississippi last month was $1.77, according to AAA. The highest recorded price for the state this year was $1.94 in early May.
Louisiana's average hovered at $1.80 and Alabama's average was $1.79.
AAA analyst Don Redman said prices may drop slightly now that summer vacations and road trips are ending and gasoline demand is softening.
"Despite record high prices for crude oil, prices may go a bit lower but we don't expect them to plunge," Redman said.
Other factors may cause prices to zigzag.
"We figure the fear of terrorism adds about $5 to $10 per barrel to the price of crude oil," Redman said.
The Middle East is not the sole oil-rich hotbed Americans depend on. Venezuela supplies almost 14 percent of Americans' oil and has been wracked by political instability. Redman said the fate of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez in a recall election may skew how much Mississippians pay at the pump.
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