RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN – Cold temperatures and fuel prices are colliding with another issue at the pump across Middle Tennessee: staffing shortages. During a review of local gas stations over the weekend and into Monday morning, a noticeable pattern emerged—several stations were unable to open during early hours due to a lack of available workers.
In multiple communities, gas stations closed earlier than usual on Saturday and Sunday nights, and some did not reopen Sunday or Monday mornings as scheduled. Employees at several locations indicated that staffing remains a challenge, particularly when nearby workers are unavailable or unable to cover early-morning shifts. While the closures were not widespread, the trend has been visible across several counties in the region.
Despite the staffing challenges, Tennessee drivers continue to benefit from comparatively low fuel prices. To start the week, Tennessee ranks 11th among the 20 states with the lowest gas prices nationwide. The statewide average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.54, which is 14 cents higher than the nation’s cheapest fuel state, Oklahoma, where prices are averaging $2.40 per gallon. The national average currently stands at $2.88 per gallon…