Experts say drivers should fill up their gas tanks now. Here’s why

(Gray News) — While high gas prices continue to be a concern for drivers nationwide, experts said now is the time to fill your tank.

According to GasBuddy, the nation’s average price of gasoline has fallen 19.5 cents over the last week, standing at $4.26 per gallon as of Monday.

EN ESPAÑOL | Explican por qué es necesario que conductores llenen sus tanques de gasolina ahora

The national average is down 17.8 cents from a month ago, though it is still $1.18 per gallon higher than a year ago.

GasBuddy also said there are 15 states where the average price of gas has fallen below $4 per gallon.

“Much of the decline was driven by falling oil prices and the unwinding of recent price cycles, as growing optimism surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran agreement helped ease concerns over global oil supplies,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said.

While drivers might be seeing some relief, experts said the downward trend likely will not last long.

“The coast is anything but clear … Overall, any setback in negotiations [between the U.S. and Iran] could quickly reverse the recent decline in fuel prices,” De Haan said.

So, what does that mean for drivers? Fill your tanks now, while gas prices are lower.

GasBuddy reports the top 10% of stations in the country average $5.73 per gallon, while the bottom 10% average $3.54 per gallon.

As of Monday, the states with the lowest average prices are:

• Indiana ($3.66)
• Texas ($3.76)
• Oklahoma ($3.77)

The states with the highest average prices are:

• California ($5.99)
• Washington ($5.66)
• Hawaii ($5.55)