As Labor Day approaches, statewide and national gas price averages continue to drop, prompting nearly a third of AAA Northeast members to say they’re planning to travel over the upcoming weekend, an informal AAA Northeast survey said.
Today, the average price for a gallon of self-serve, regular in Connecticut is $3.88, down 14 cents from last week. On the national level, today’s $3.85 average is 5 cents lower than last week. In both cases, gas price averages are 90 cents higher than this time last year.
The price decline may be attributed to a drop in demand and the switchover to the less expensive winter blends, said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman.
“Historically, demand begins to decline in the fall as schools reopen and summer road trips end,” said Mayko. “This in turn leads to lower gas prices. Despite the trend, however, gas price averages will remain above $3 a gallon in all states, especially as crude remains elevated.”
In the AAA survey, 67% of respondents will take a road trip to visit friends this Labor Day. According to AAA Northeast bookings, the remainder said they plan to fly to one of these destinations: Orlando, Italy, Las Vegas, Ireland, Aruba, or Bermuda, while some are planning Canadian, Caribbean or New England cruises.
Here is AAA’s weekly price survey of Connecticut’s six metro regions:
Greater Bridgeport $4.01 Lower Fairfield County $4.01
New Haven/Meriden $3.88 Greater Hartford $3.82
New London/Norwich $3.82 Windham/Middlesex $3.89
Statewide Average: $3.88
Today, Arkansas registers the lowest prices in the nation at $3.35, followed by Mississippi and Texas, both at $3.37. Hawaii and California hold the highest prices in the nation both at $5.31 and $5.28, respectively. Connecticut moved to the 22nd spot on the list of highest gas prices in the nation. Visit www.gasprices.aaa.com for daily average gas prices.