Gas prices decline in both R.I., Mass.

Gasoline prices in Rhode Island have fallen an average of eight cents per gallon over the past week, according to AAA Southern New England. That’s the fourth straight week of decreases, and leaves the average price of self-service unleaded regular 12 cents below what it was just two weeks ago.



In the nonprofit auto club’s Aug. 28 survey, self serve unleaded averaged $2.969 per gallon in Rhode Island, eight cents less than last week and lower than at any time since the end of June. A year ago at this time, the average price was $2.639.



The price range in this survey was 26 cents, from a low of $2.859 to a high of $3.119. Other grades of fuel had similar ranges.



Other average Rhode Island self-service prices were: $3.109 for midgrade unleaded; $3.229 for premium unleaded; and $3.109 for diesel.



In Massachusetts, the auto club said, the average price of self-serve unleaded regular was down 10 cents from the week before, and 15 cents in the past two weeks. The decrease was the third in a row in AAA’s weekly survey.



The average Aug. 28 self-serve price for unleaded regular in Massachusetts was $2.869 per gallon, the lowest since the middle of April. A year ago, the average price was $2.619. Other average self-serve prices in Massachusetts were: $3.029 for mid-grade unleaded; $3.139 for premium unleaded; and $3.079 for diesel.



The range in prices for regular unleaded in the latest AAA survey for Massachusetts was 49 cents, from a low of $2.709 per gallon to a high of $3.199. The auto club urged motorists to shop around for the best deals.



Auto club members can find the most up-to-date local gas prices by logging onto AAA.com and clicking on Gas Saving Tips & Tools.