After 5 weeks, pump prices fall in R.I., Mass.

By PBN Staff
Twitter: @ProvBusNews

PROVIDENCE – Gas prices in the Ocean State dropped 3 cents this week after five consecutive weeks of increases, AAA Southern New England reported Monday.

The cost of self-serve, unleaded regular averaged $3.80 per gallon in the Ocean State – down 3 cents from last week, but up 13 cents over the month – according to the trade group’s weekly survey of Rhode Island’s pump prices.

Rhode Island’s price is currently 5 cents greater than the $3.75 national average for a gallon of self-pump, regular unleaded.

AAA recommended drivers shop around for the best deal, as prices ranged 24 cents from $3.68 to $3.92 for a gallon of unleaded regular.

This week, pump prices varied from $3.97 per gallon for midgrade to $4.09 for premium unleaded and $4.19 for diesel. A year ago, gas in the Ocean State cost an average $3.80 for a gallon of regular unleaded.

Gas prices in Massachusetts dropped 4 cents this week to $3.73 per gallon, 2 cents below the national average of $3.75 per gallon, according to AAA.

Bay State gas prices ranged from $3.90 per gallon for midgrade unleaded to $4.04 for premium and $4.14 for diesel. A year ago at this time, the Massachusetts average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas was $3.74.

The average nationwide cost for self-serve, regular gasoline dropped 3 cents this week to $3.75 a gallon, according to the AAA website. Pump prices reached their highest recorded average price on July 17, 2008, at $4.11 per gallon.