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Virginia Motorists to see Relief with Restart of Colonial Pipeline

Supply Strained Areas Prioritized for Gasoline Deliveries in Days Ahead

hand at gas pump

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. (May 13, 2021)— Gas prices in Virginia have increased 17 cents since last week with the current price at $2.91. Motorists in the southeast can expect to see fuel flowing at local pumps in coming days. Late on Wednesday, the Colonial Pipeline announced the restart of pipeline operations. While it will take several days for operations to get back to normal, this news will help to ease the supply strain seen on the East Coast – especially in southern Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee. These areas are experiencing reduced fuel availability in parts of their markets.

 

“The restart of the pipeline is very positive news for motorists,” said Holly Dalby, AAA spokesperson for AAA Tidewater Virginia. “While impact won’t be seen immediately and motorists in affected areas can expect to see a few more days of limited fuel supply, relief is coming. Station pumps will be full of fuel in several days. This is an especially good update ahead of the Memorial Day holiday.”

 

As of May 13, 2021

Virginia

Hampton Roads

Richmond

Current

$2.91

$2.87

$2.91

Monday, May 10

$2.77

$2.73

$2.75

Week Ago

$2.75

$2.68

$2.74

Month Ago

$2.71

$2.66

$2.70

Year Ago

$1.69

$1.69

$1.68

From the time the pipeline was taken offline on Friday until Thursday morning, the national gas price average increased 6 cents. That pushed the average to $3/gallon this week – the highest average since October 2014. The national average is likely to continue to see fluctuation in the coming days and states where prices have spiked will see some relief as the pipeline becomes fully operational.

 

For motorists traveling through the south and southeast this weekend, AAA offers these tips -

 

If you are planning to travel this weekend throughout the south/southeast coast:

  • If you own more than one car, use the most fuel-efficient model.
  • Plan ahead – bring groceries and other necessities with you to reduce making trips while you’re at your destination.
  • Fill up before getting to your destination. Use the AAA Mobile app to locate gas stations and call ahead to see if they have fuel.
  • Avoid driving during high-traffic times of day.
  • Pack lightly. Remove unnecessary and bulky items from your car and don’t use your roof rack or a special cargo carrier. It takes more fuel to accelerate a heavier car, and the reduction in fuel economy is greater for small cars than larger models.
  • Don’t travel with a container carrying extra fuel in your car.

 

If you’re already on the road and will be traveling throughout the south/southeast coast:

  • Use the AAA Mobile app to locate gas stations and call ahead to see if they have fuel.
  • Have a Plan B in case you need to stay longer or can only make it part of the way home (find a stopping point). Use the AAA Mobile app to find hotels along your route and call ahead to check availability.
  • Minimize your use of air conditioning. Even at highway speeds, open windows have less effect on fuel economy than the engine power required to operate the air conditioning compressor.
  • In hot weather, park in the shade or use a windshield sunscreen to lessen heat buildup inside the car. This reduces the need for air conditioning (and thus fuel) to cool down the car.

 

AAA will continue to monitor the latest news concerning the Colonial Pipeline.

 

As part of North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA Tidewater Virginia provides its more than 350,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding AAA Tidewater Virginia has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. For more information, visit AAA.com and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/AAATidewaterVA or Facebook at facebook.com/AAATidewaterVirginia.

CST 1016202-80 Copyright © Tidewater Automobile Association of Virginia, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
AAA Tidewater Virginia is a member club affiliated with the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and serves members in the Tidewater Virginia region (All Hampton Roads cities, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg; Virginia's Eastern Shore; as well as the following counties: Greensville, Surry, Brunswick, Isle of Wight, Gloucester, Lancaster, Middlesex, Richmond County, Southampton, Sussex, Mecklenburg, James City County, York, Lunenburg, Essex, King & Queen, Mathews, Northumberland, and Westmoreland).