Virginia remains one of the top 10 states in terms of least expensive gas prices, according to AAA Tidewater, at least until Hurricane Florence makes landfall on the east coast. As the hurricane approaches, gas prices could temporarily spike.

According to the press release, the average price for a gallon of gas on Monday was $2.61, which is one cent less compared to last week and seven cents more than the same time last year. In Hampton Roads, the price was $2.60 per gallon on Monday, which one cent less than last week but 10 cents more than last year.

Gas prices are expected to decline this month with the switchover to winter-blend gasoline on Friday. But the threat of Hurricane Florence will likely impact gas prices on the east coast if the storm follows its projected path to hit between South Carolina and Virginia by the end of the week, according to the press release.

“A storm like this typically causes an increase in fuel purchases in the market as consumers take steps to prepare ahead of the storm. Motorists can expect spikes in pump prices to be brief, but possibly dramatic,” AAA spokesperson Georjeane Blumling stated in the press release.

Gasbuddy.com on Monday recorded regular gas prices at Suffolk pumps that ranged from as low as $2.53 to as high as $2.69 per gallon, which is a slight increase compared to the $2.48-to-$2.69 range recorded on Aug. 28.

The average price per gallon in Suffolk has not eclipsed $2.70 since June 11, according to AAA.