Connecticut gas prices continued to diverge from national average trends, falling to $3.28 for a gallon of self-service regular, down 7 cents from last week and 49 cents from last month.
National gas prices were a mirror image, rising by 7 cents over the past week to $3.80, the same price as a month ago.
“The regional differences in gas prices are stark at the moment,” said Alec Slatky, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. “Prices here in the East are still falling, prices on the West Coast are hitting $6/gallon and higher, and Gulf Coast states have prices dipping below $3 in some areas.”
At least six California refineries are undergoing maintenance, and there is limited pipeline supply to the West Coast from locations east of the Rockies. A refinery fire in Toledo has contributed to rising gas prices in the upper Midwest, and the 160,000 barrel/day plant could be down for months.
Reports have also emerged that OPEC+ intends to announce production cuts on at their Wednesday meeting. If that happens, crude prices could rise this week.
Here is AAA’s weekly price survey of Connecticut’s six metro regions:
Greater Bridgeport $3.42 Lower Fairfield County $3.45
New Haven/Meriden $3.28 Greater Hartford $3.18
New London/Norwich $3.39 Windham/Middlesex $3.31
Statewide Average: $3.28
Today, Mississippi registers the lowest prices in the nation at $3.06, followed by Texas at $3.09. California and Nevada have the highest gas prices in the nation at $6.38 and $5.48, respectively. Connecticut fell to 42th on the list of highest gas prices in the nation. Average gas prices may be obtained daily through www.gasprices.aaa.com.