Today’s average gas prices in The Nutmeg State are the lowest in New England, a welcome relief for Connecticut drivers, who routinely pay higher prices at the pump, says AAA Northeast.
Today, the average price for a gallon of self-serve, regular in Connecticut is $3.72, down 14 cents from last week and down 54 cents from last month.
Compared to other New England states, Connecticut prices are at least 8 cents lower. In a state-by-state comparison, Rhode Islanders are paying 8 cents more a gallon than Nutmeggers; Granite Staters in New Hampshire, 10 cents higher; Downeasters in Maine, 14 cents higher; Bay Staters in Massachusetts, 19 cents higher; and Vermonters, a whopping 22 cents higher.
“It’s a bit unusual for Connecticut prices to be the lowest among the rest of New England,” said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman. “But the market has been quite volatile this summer with dropping crude prices, lower demand and a quiet hurricane season.”
Also helping keep Connecticut prices lower is the state’s 25-cent-a-gallon gas tax holiday that will expire November 30, she said.
Connecticut’s prices are also 6 cents lower than the national average of $3.78.
Declining crude prices settled around $86 a barrel at the end of last week, which have contributed to the declining national average.
One factor that may reverse this trend is a hurricane. “Fortunately, we haven’t experienced a major storm this year,” said Mayko.
“However, we’re still facing another month in the peak hurricane season and a large hurricane could possibly wreak havoc along the Gulf Coast and affect prices when they disrupt domestic oil production and refining. Only time will tell.”
Here is AAA’s weekly price survey of Connecticut’s six metro regions:
Greater Bridgeport $3.87 Lower Fairfield County $3.85
New Haven/Meriden $3.73 Greater Hartford $3.65
New London/Norwich $3.67 Windham/Middlesex $3.74
Statewide Average: $3.72
Today, Arkansas registers the lowest prices in the nation at $3.25, followed by Arkansas at $3.26. Hawaii and California hold the highest prices in the nation at $5.30 and $5.27, respectively. Connecticut is now at the 26th spot on the list of highest gas prices in the nation. Visit www.gasprices.aaa.com for daily average gas prices.