R.I., Mass. gas prices rise 5 cents

GAS PRICES IN RHODE ISLAND and Massachusetts both rose 5 cents this week. / BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO/AKOS STILLER
GAS PRICES IN RHODE ISLAND and Massachusetts both rose 5 cents this week. / BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO/AKOS STILLER

PROVIDENCE – The price of self-serve, regular gasoline in Rhode Island increased 5 cents to $2.90 per gallon, 3 cents higher than the national average of $2.87 per gallon, according to AAA Northeast Monday.

Prices ranged 40 cents from $2.69 to $3.09 per gallon.

Last year at this time, regular gas averaged 59 cents less at $2.31 per gallon.

“The geopolitical tensions prompted by the White House decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran, combined with higher crude oil prices, growing global demand, shrinking supply and the seasonal switchover to summer blend gasoline are all combining to drive up prices at the pump,” said Lloyd Albert, AAA Northeast senior vice president of public and government affairs, in a statement.

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  • Midgrade gas averaged $3.12 this week, ranging from $2.97 to $3.39 per gallon.
  • Premium gas averaged $3.39 per gallon, ranging from $3.20 to $3.49 per gallon.
  • Diesel fuel averaged $3.13 this week, ranging from $3.01 to $3.29 per gallon.

In Massachusetts, the price of regular gas also increased 5 cents to $2.81 per gallon, 6 cents below the national average. Prices ranged 30 cents from $2.69 to $2.99 per gallon.

Last year at this time, regular gas in Massachusetts averaged 52 cents lower at $2.29 per gallon.

  • Midgrade gas in Massachusetts averaged $3.01 per gallon, ranging from $2.79 to $3.39 per gallon.
  • Premium gas averaged $3.19 per gallon, ranging from $2.89 to $3.49 per gallon.
  • Diesel fuel averaged $3.09 this week, ranging from $2.95 to $3.24 per gallon.

AAA Northeast also issued its estimates for Memorial Day travel, predicting that 1.9 million New Englanders are expected to travel for the holiday weekend, of which 1.7 million are expected to do so by car.

The Boston metropolitan area was included in its worst predicted traffic in the country with peak driving times expected on May 24 between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m., with an expected travel time of nearly double the normal commute.

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