Cheapest Gas in Southwest Louisiana for October 23

Lake Charles, Louisiana - If you've filled up your vehicle lately, you already know that gas prices are still putting a pretty good dent in your wallet. The good news is that prices are finally starting to come down a little across Louisiana, including right here in Southwest Louisiana.

It seems like every time that little yellow gas light comes on, you have to prepare yourself for another expensive trip to the pump. Whether you're driving to work, taking the kids to school, or making a trip down I-10, those fill-ups can add up pretty quickly. Thankfully, there is a little bit of good news for drivers around Lake Charles. Gas prices have dropped over the last week, but we're still paying quite a bit more than we were this time last year.

We're taking a look at the cheapest places to fill up as you head out this weekend around Lake Charles & SWLA.

According to the latest numbers from AAA, Louisiana's average price for regular gas has dropped back below $4 per gallon. The national average has also fallen, but drivers are still paying more than they would like.

As of Thursday, October 22, the average price for regular gas in Louisiana is $3.83 per gallon. That's down from the $4.03 average we reported earlier. The national average is currently $4.27 per gallon, meaning Louisiana drivers are paying about 44 cents less per gallon than the average American.

Here are the latest statewide averages from AAA:

Regular: $3.83
Mid-Grade: $4.31
Premium: $4.70
Diesel: $5.81

Drivers around Lake Charles are paying a little more than the statewide average. According to AAA, the average price for regular gas in the Lake Charles area is currently $3.94 per gallon. That's actually down from $3.99 a week ago and $4.00 a month ago.

Here's where it gets frustrating... This time last year, the average price for regular gas in Lake Charles was just $2.74 per gallon. That means we're paying about $1.20 more for every gallon of gas than we were a year ago. If you're filling up a 20-gallon tank, that's roughly $24 more than you would have spent last October.

Here are the latest Lake Charles gas averages as of October 22:

Regular: $3.94 per gallon (up $1.20 from $2.74)
Mid-Grade: $4.48 per gallon (up $1.23 from $3.25)
Premium: $4.84 per gallon (up $1.18 from $3.66)
Diesel: $5.82 per gallon (up $2.59 from $3.23)

Cheapest Gas Around Lake Charles, Louisiana This Weekend (October 23rd)

Love's Travel Stop (Vinton - 2024A West St) - $3.49
E-Z Mart (Vinton - 1723 US-90 W) - $3.53
Smokers Express (Sulphur - 404 W Napoleon St) - $3.59
Murphy USA (Lake Charles - 3425 Gerstner Memorial) - $3.69
Murphy USA (Lake Charles - 2510 Hwy 171) - $3.69
Murphy USA (Lake Charles - 3441 Nelson Rd) - $3.69
Chevron (Lake Charles - 801 Country Club Rd) - $3.69
Walmart (Lake Charles - 2011 Ryan St) - $3.69
Circle K (Lake Charles - 107 Jefferson Dr) - $3.74
Murphy USA (Sulphur - 527 N Cities Service Hwy) - $3.75

One thing we've learned over the years is that gas prices can vary quite a bit from one station to another. You might find gas several cents cheaper just a few miles down the road. That's why it never hurts to check before pulling into the first station you see. Of course, gas prices can change throughout the day, so the price you see online might not be the same when you arrive.

The good news is that prices are finally moving in the right direction. The bad news is that we're still spending a lot more at the pump than we were just one year ago.