PROVIDENCE – After rising 9 cents last week, Rhode Island gasoline prices jumped 12 cents more this week, AAA Southern New England reported Monday.
The cost of self-serve, unleaded regular averaged $3.81 per gallon in Rhode Island – 12 cents greater than last week and a gain of 20 cents over the course of the month, according to the trade group’s weekly survey of the area’s pump prices.
Rhode Island’s price is currently 13 cents higher than the $3.68 national average for a gallon of self-pump, regular unleaded.
AAA recommended drivers shop around for the best deal, as prices ranged 18 cents from $3.74 to $3.92 for a gallon of unleaded regular in Rhode Island.
This week, pump prices varied from $4.00 per gallon for midgrade to $4.07 for premium unleaded and $3.91 for diesel.
A year ago, gas in the Ocean State cost 18 cents less, at an average $3.63 for a gallon of regular unleaded.
Gas prices in Massachusetts also rose this week, jumping 9 cents to $3.72 per gallon of self-serve, regular unleaded.
Bay State gas prices are currently 4 cents above the national average, according to AAA. Massachusetts’ gas prices have risen 23 cents over the past month.
Bay State gas prices ranged from $3.87 per gallon for midgrade unleaded to $4.00 for premium and $3.95 for diesel.
A year ago, the Massachusetts average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas was $3.68.
The average nationwide cost for self-serve, regular gasoline rose 6 cents this week to $3.68 a gallon, according to the AAA website. Pump prices reached their highest recorded average price on July 17, 2008, at $4.11 per gallon.
