As drivers head into the home stretch of 2020 and rising crude oil prices are spiking national and statewide gas prices.
Today’s national gas price average of $2.22 jumped 6 cents compared to last week, the highest national average since mid-September.
In Connecticut, today’s (12/21) 4-cent hike to $2.23 has put the Nutmeg State at the 16th place on the list of states with the highest gas prices in the nation. The state previously bounced between the 20th and 21st spots for many weeks.
Despite this week’s increase, national and statewide prices are still lower than last year at 33 cents and 43 cents, respectively.
“The global market is quite volatile,” said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast Spokeswoman. ‘The recent surge in Covid infection rates, worries about a new Covid strain in the UK, more stringent lockdowns and stricter travel restrictions are all contributing to a very jittery market.”
Recent price hikes have surprised industry analysts because December’s demand has been the lowest this month since 1999, Mayko said. “We’re expecting these spikes to be short-lived, since we’ve forecasted at least a 25% decline in holiday road travel compared to last year.”
Higher global infection rates and greater travel restrictions are expected to push crude oil prices even lower in January. “Only time will tell how low prices will go,” said Mayko.
Here is AAA’s weekly price survey of Connecticut’s six metro regions:
Greater Bridgeport $2.30 Lower Fairfield County: $2.30
New Haven/Meriden $2.20 Greater Hartford $2.20
New London/Norwich $2.24 Windham/Middlesex $2.26
Statewide Average: $2.23
Today, Mississippi and Louisiana register the lowest prices in the nation with $1.89 and $1.93, respectively. Hawaii and California continue to hold the highest prices in the nation at $3.25 and $3.20. respectively. Connecticut moved up 4 spots to the 16th spot on the list of states with the highest gas prices in the nation. Average gas prices may be obtained daily through www.gasprices.aaa.com.