Will gas prices drop in GA after Trump action in Venezuela? Here’s what we know

The arrest of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, has many Georgia residents concerned about gas prices in the coming days. Following his court appearance, crude oil was up $0.57, which may have been caused by uncertainty about regime changes.

Over time, the impact will depend on the outcome of the political chaos, but the short term prices are drifting lower or holding steady. ​

Where Georgia prices stand today

Gas prices in Georgia are not expected to immediately spike as a direct result of the activity in Venezuela and for now, the average price in Georgia is lower than the national average.

Gas price averages:

As of Jan. 6, these are the prices per gallon, according to AAA.

• National: $2.81
• Georgia: $2.65
• Florida: $2.79
• Alabama: $2.52
• South Carolina: $2.53
• Tennessee: $2.48

Data from the U.S Energy Information Administration suggests gas prices per gallon were higher this time last year.

• National: $3.07
• Georgia: $3.11

Major effects on oil and gas prices

For now, gas prices seem stabilized and in some areas they are dropping. Major changes to the market are unlikely to happen quickly and any major price spikes could take months to show up at the pump.

If gas prices were to rise after the Venezuela takeover, it would be Venezuela’s own decision to cut oil production because it can’t export its crude.

Catalysts for price spikes

Reuters reports on the relationship between the US and Venezuela, suggesting there could be a disruption if conditions continue to develop.

• Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA moves to reduce or halt oil as a result of a U.S. export embargo
• ​Venezuela is struggling to find buyers and tankers for its crude, especially in Asia.
• Output cuts are affecting foreign companies, leading to less Venezuelan heavy crude.​

Analysts warn that if these cuts persist, they could tighten global supply and add upward pressure to fuel prices in import‑dependent states like Georgia

What experts say about price direction

The gas tracking website GasBuddy helps drivers find the cheapest gas prices nearby, in real time, in which the data is compiled from more than 12 million individual price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

• Their head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan said this in his substack report, “While more states did see prices rise this week, most of those increases were in ‘price-cycling’ markets, where routine jumps often follow larger declines. Elsewhere, a majority of states saw prices inch lower again.”
• Tamas Varga, analyst for PVM Oil, told Reuters, “It is premature to evaluate the impact of Nicolas Maduro’s capture on the oil balance. What seems obvious, nonetheless, is that oil supply will be sufficient in 2026, with or without an increase in production from the OPEC member, [Venezuela].”

What GA drivers should watch next

Georgia drivers should:

• Pay more attention to crude price trends and any formal changes in U.S. policy toward Venezuelan oil.
• Keep an eye on daily state and national averages to spot local spikes early.
• Watch the headlines for the price of crude oil to jump to several dollars a barrel. Prices will likely change within days. ​

Prices are trending down for now, so the situation is one to watch, not panic over. If you have noticed a change at the pump, email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.