Georgia gas prices increased on Thursday for the first time in more than a month, according to AAA, whose data is collected from credit card swipes and direct feeds from 120,000 gas stations nationwide, in cooperation with OPIS and Wright Express. This snapped a 39-day streak of declines at the pump, delivering a discount of 15 cents. Since Thursday, the state average has increased 4 cents.

On Sunday, Georgia gas prices averaged $2.12. The state average is 4 cents more than last week, 1-cent more than a year ago, and 14 cents less than the national average. 

• The most expensive gas price averages in Georgia are in Atlanta ($2.17), Savannah ($2.13), and Columbus ($2.04)
• The least expensive gas price averages in Georgia are in Augusta-Aiken ($2.00), Macon ($2.01), and Albany ($2.02)

"AAA forecasted the streak of gas price declines would come to an end last week," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA The Auto Club Group. "What came as a bit of a surprise was the abrupt U-turn oil prices made after Independence Day. Instead of building on the momentum that pushed oil above $47 a barrel, the rally suddenly ran out of steam and oil stumbled back below $45. What that means to motorists is a short lived bump in prices at the pump."

Gas prices for the first 40 days of summer (June 1 - July 10) have averaged the lowest in more than a decade. Prices this summer averaged $2.15 in Georgia, which is the lowest for the 40-day period in 12 years.

Oil Price Rally Runs Out of Steam

A shift in futures prices effectively brought the pump price plunge to a halt. Oil prices made steady gains, increasing from $42.53 to $47.07 over the course of 13 days, raising the cost of producing gasoline. However, prices at the pump barely had time to respond before oil slumped back below $45 on Wednesday. Despite bullish data from the EIA showing strong demand and reduced inventories, fuel production and supply levels remain especially high for this time of year, preventing oil prices from gaining solid footing. 

Long term forecasts remain favorable for motorists. Many analysts are moving to the position that demand levels will not surpass last year's record highs. Wells Fargo expects oil prices to remain below $50/b for the next 12 months, according to a statement made on Wednesday. That would put a ceiling on gas prices of about $2.50, if the forecast holds.

Gas Price Tools for Reporters/Consumers

• GasPrices.AAA.com - Daily national, state, and metro gas price averages.
• AAA Mobile app - Free app that shows current prices at a gas station near you.

                             CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES

                                                    Regular Unleaded Gasoline

	Sunday	Saturday	Week Ago	Month Ago	One Year Ago	Highest Price on Record
National	$2.263	$2.263	$2.234	$2.351	$2.244	$4.114 (7/17/2008)
Florida	$2.140	$2.143	$2.151	$2.350	$2.208	$4.079 (7/17/2008)
Tampa	$2.012	$2.014	$2.025	$2.320	$2.128	$4.009 (7/16/2008)
Georgia	$2.115	$2.113	$2.080	$2.205	$2.105	$4.164 (9/15/2008)
Tennessee	$2.006	$2.007	$1.997	$2.094	$2.035	$4.118 (9/15/2008)
Click here to view current gasoline price averages