PROVIDENCE – The average price of self-serve, regular unleaded gasoline in Rhode Island ticked down to $3.25 per gallon on Tuesday, 1 cent less than last week but still 3 cents higher than the national average, according to AAA Northeast.
Tuesday’s R.I. average is 36 cents lower than a month ago and down 12 cents year over year.
AAA said the late December winter storm and its frigid temperatures caused gas prices nationally to spike, with refineries as far south as Texas and the Gulf Coast forced to shut down temporarily. The storm also caused holiday travelers to fuel up and hit the road early to beat the bad weather, leading to a spike in overall gas demand.
“The cost of gas may fluctuate due to less expensive oil and a return to seasonal driving patterns,” said Diana Gugliotta, director of Public Affairs for AAA Northeast. “But 2022 will go down as a record year with a national annual average of $3.96.”
Midgrade gas in Rhode Island averaged $3.89 per gallon on Tuesday.
Premium gas averaged $4.22 per gallon.
Diesel fuel averaged $5.15 per gallon.
In Massachusetts, the average price of regular gas decreased by 2 cents from a week ago, to $3.35 per gallon.
One year ago, the average price for regular unleaded gasoline in the Bay State was $3.38 per gallon.
Midgrade gas in Massachusetts averaged $3.93 per gallon on Tuesday.
Premium gas averaged $4.28 per gallon.
Diesel fuel averaged $5.18 per gallon.
