A mixed bag of concerns continues to trigger lower statewide and national gas.
Rising Covid cases, lower demand, enormous supplies, and sinking crude prices have pushed national gas prices to their lowest point since mid-June, said AAA Northeast.
Today, National average prices for a gallon of self-serve regular dropped to $2.16, a penny less than last week and 45 cents lower than last year.
On the statewide level, average prices also hit the $2.16 mark, a penny less than last week and 50 cents lower compared to last year.
“Generally, demand declines this time of year compared to the summer, but today it’s a significant 14% decrease compared to last October,” said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman. “As a result, we have a very healthy level of inventory in this country because of that lower demand which in turn is keeping a lid on prices at the pump.”
Domestic crude oil prices, the driving force of prices at the pump, have settled at the $39-a-barrel level because of market concerns about increasing coronavirus infections worldwide. “If those concerns linger this week, we could continue to see lower crude prices, lower demand, and ultimately lower pump prices,” said Mayko.
Here is AAA’s weekly price survey of Connecticut’s six metro regions:
Greater Bridgeport $2.23 Lower Fairfield County: $2.25
New Haven/Meriden $2.14 Greater Hartford $2.13
New London/Norwich $2.17 Windham/Middlesex $2.20
Statewide Average: $2.16
Today, Mississippi and Missouri register the lowest prices in the nation, both at $1.83, followed by Oklahoma at $1.84. Hawaii and California continue to hold the highest prices in the nation at $3.24 and $3.19. respectively. Connecticut moved up to the 20th 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.