VALDOSTA — South Georgia’s gas prices jumped last week, defying state and national trends.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Valdosta Tuesday was $2.96, up eight cents in seven days, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

Statewide, Georgia’s average gas price Tuesday was $2.94 per gallon, up only three cents per gallon over the week, while the national average Tuesday was $3.07 per gallon, unchanged in the same period, the auto club said.

The lowest price reported Tuesday in Valdosta was $2.77 per gallon at a pair of stores on Bemiss Road, according to the price tracking website gasbuddy.com.

— In Tifton, the lowest fuel price reported Tuesday was $2.70 per gallon at a pair of stores on US-82.

— In Thomasville, the lowest price for gasoline reported Tuesday was $2.77 per gallon at a store on Highway 319 North.

— In Moultrie, the lowest gasoline price reported Tuesday was $2.79 per gallon at several stores.

Tuesday, Valdosta was tied with Hinesville and Atlanta for the third-highest average gas price among the 15 Georgia markets monitored by AAA: beneath Savannah and Albany but above Warner Robins, Rome, Macon, Gainesville, Dalton, Columbus, Catoosa, Brunswick, August and Albany.

“Looking back at 2024, the high point for the national average was $3.67 on April 19, and the low was $3.01 on December 10,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “If the national average follows seasonal norms, it will probably waffle up and down by a few cents for the next two months.”