Gas prices drop in past year

PUMP PRICES$3.29 - Average price of regular gas in Chattanooga on Tuesday$3.52 - Average price of regular gas nationwide on Tuesday$3.48 - Average price of regular gas in Chattanooga a month ago$3.72 - Average price of regular gas in Chattanooga a year agoSource: AAA Fuel Gauge Survey

photo Gas prices tile

Chattanooga gas prices have fallen 19 cents a gallon over the past month and are 43 cents a gallon below a year ago - the biggest yearly drop since the recession in 2009.

AAA reported Tuesday that pump prices at area service stations have declined steadily for the past two weeks as oil and other commodity prices have dropped. Oil fell as low as $86 a barrel on Tuesday before recovering and finishing slightly higher in trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

But after a winter run up in prices, many motorists aren't cheering about the recent drop. Many indicate they haven't even noticed.

"I just gotta pay what I gotta pay," said Larry Phillips, of Chattanooga. "If you put $20 in your gas tank and it fills up the tank, then you'll notice. But when it's just a few cents, you don't notice."

Susan Jochym, a self-employed accountant who drives 150 miles a day for her job, has noticed the cheaper prices at the pump.

"I try to fill up when it's cheaper," she said. "If gas is lower, I'll take the scenic routes, just to enjoy the scenery while I drive. Like today, I'll probably take the backroads instead of the interstate."

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