A slow, steady rise in demand is pushing national and statewide gas prices higher, says AAA Northeast.
In Connecticut, today’s statewide average for a gallon of self-service regular is $2.07, 6 cents higher than last week and 79 cents lower than last year; while nationally, today’s average of $2.10 s 7 cents higher than last week and 60 cents lower than last year.
“As Americans are driving more, they’re filling up more,” says Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman. “This in turn is contributing to higher prices at the pump.”
Since mid-May, gasoline demand has increased 18% as states began easing Covid-19 restrictions. Today, one-third of the states are registering gas prices of $1.99 or less, mostly in the South and Southeast.
Even though prices are on the increase, it’s expected prices won’t spike this summer as they generally have done in previous years, said Mayko. “That’s because demand this year won’t be high enough to drive down the glut of available inventory,” she added.
Here is AAA’s weekly price survey of Connecticut’s six metro regions:
Greater Bridgeport $2.17 Lower Fairfield County: $2.16
New Haven/Meriden $2.04 Greater Hartford $2.05
New London/Norwich $2.05 Windham/Middlesex $2.07
Statewide Average: $2.07
Today, Mississippi and Louisiana register the lowest average per-gallon prices in the nation at $$1.74 and $1.77, respectively. Hawaii and California continue to hold the highest prices in the nation with $3.18 and $3.00, respectively. Connecticut moved to the 20th spot on the list of states with the highest gas prices in the nation. Average gas prices may be obtained daily through wsww.gasprices.aaa.com