As Gas Prices Fall for 7th Straight Week, Many Wonder if Trend Will Last

The national average for a gallon of gas has ticked down 14 cents to $4.19, according to the AAA.

This marks the seventh consecutive week where the nation’s average gas price has declined since the record high of $5.16 in mid-June. As of Tuesday, the average price for a gallon of unleaded gas has dropped below $4 in 19 states. While gas prices are declining earlier than some anticipated, several energy analysts have warned that gas prices could soar again in the fall before November's midterm elections. Survey data has shown that about two-thirds (64%) of U.S. adults have changed their driving or lifestyle habits to combat inflated gas prices. AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross on Monday suggested that the swift price drop could spark a surge in demand, which would subsequently raise rates once again. President Joe Biden has blamed Putin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and Big Oil companies for fueling inflated gas prices. The White House has combatted high energy prices by releasing oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which fell by 4.6 million barrels last week to its lowest level since May 1985.

Left-rated coverage has accentuated that the falling gas prices show how Biden's "program is working" and could potentially "blunt Republican campaign attacks." Some right-rated outlets pushed back against the Biden officials that "took credit" for the recent decline in gas prices while many states "still face near-record levels."