Warmer, longer days are pushing gas demand slightly higher, prompting drivers to take advantage of better driving weather, says AAA Northeast.
Despite slightly higher demand, however, pump prices appear stagnant even though recessionary fears continue to force global oil prices to hover around the $70 a barrel mark, said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman.
“As a result, national gas prices at the pump are stuck in neutral,” she said.
Nationally, today’s $3.44 average for a gallon of self-serve regular is the same price as last week and 80 cents lower than last year.
In Connecticut, however, today’s $3.26 price is 2 cents lower than last week, and $1.05 lower than last year.
The Energy Information Administration reported gas demand increased slightly last week while gas supplies decreased significantly. Typically, higher demand and tighter supplies push pump prices higher, said Mayko. “But lower crude prices are counteracting those effects at the pump.”
Here is AAA’s weekly price survey of Connecticut’s six metro regions:
Greater Bridgeport $3.31 Lower Fairfield County $3.26
New Haven/Meriden $3.24 Greater Hartford $3.24
New London/Norwich $3.25 Windham/Middlesex $3.29
Statewide Average: $3.26
Today, Mississippi registers the lowest prices in the nation at $2.99, followed by Oklahoma at $3.01. California and Hawaii continue to hold the highest prices in the nation at $4.82 and $4.81, respectively. Connecticut holds the 27th spot on the list of highest gas prices in the nation. Average gas prices may be obtained daily through www.gasprices.aaa.com.