PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island and Massachusetts gasoline prices have declined for the fifth and third consecutive week, respectively, AAA Southern New England reported Monday.
The auto club’s Sept. 13 survey found the average price of self-serve, unleaded regular at Ocean State stations was $2.64 per gallon, down 1 cent from last week and 2 cents below last year’s pump prices at this time.
Prices also declined in Massachusetts for the third consecutive week. The AAA survey found the average price of self-serve, unleaded regular was $2.60 per gallon in the Bay State, down 1 cent from last week.
Crude oil for October delivery climbed $1.21 to $77.66 a barrel at 11:10 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange, Bloomberg News reported, adding that futures touched $78.04, the highest intraday level since Aug. 1.
“Crude oil rose to a four-week high after a surge in Chinese industrial output signaled that demand will accelerate and a pipeline closure limited deliveries in the U.S.,” Bloomberg News reported.
In its survey, AAA found prices in Rhode Island ranging from $2.49 to $2.73 per gallon for unleaded regular. At $2.64, the average price per gallon in Rhode Island is 6 cents below the average price nationwide of $2.70.
At stations in Rhode Island this week, the survey found average self-serve prices of $2.79 per gallon for midgrade unleaded, $2.90 for premium unleaded gasoline, and $2.95 for diesel.
The auto club also warned that colder temperatures are approaching and drivers should start winterizing their cars.
