For the fourth consecutive week, Connecticut’s average gas price continued to increase. Today’s price is four cents higher compared to this time last week and is now on the cusp of breaking the $2 mark.
Today, average prices in the Nutmeg State hit $1.99. Despite the increase, compared to this time last month prices are 10 cents lower while compared to last year, they’re $.51 cents lower.
A similar situation on the national level is also playing out with average gas prices hitting $1.98 today, $.05 cents higher than this time last week. However, compared to last month, those same prices are $.21 cents lower; while compared to last year, they’re $.44 cents lower.
Prices continue to climb because many refineries are conducting spring maintenance in preparation for the production of the more expensive, environmentally-friendly summer blends. When refineries are off-line, there’s less gas in the pipeline. Couple lower production with the increased price of crude oil — the driving force of prices at the pump — to around $40 a barrel; and the start of the summer drive season, and you have a bump at the pump.
AAA’s weekly survey of prices in the Nutmeg State’s four regional areas as follows:
- Greater Bridgeport/Stamford $2.07
- New Haven/Meriden $1.97
- Greater Hartford $1.97
- New London/Norwich $1.97
- Statewide Average $1.99
California and Hawaii at $2.68 and $2.55 continue to lead the pack of states with the highest average prices. New Jersey and South Carolina at $1.73 and $1.76 are the states with the lowest prices. Connecticut moved up to 16th place from 19th in terms of highest gas prices in the nation.
AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with 61 offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey providing more than 5.1 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance, and auto-related services.
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