R.I. gas prices continue to drop

Gasoline prices in Rhode Island continue to fall, this week by another 10 cents per gallon, according to a AAA Southern New England survey released on Monday.

This is the seventh consecutive AAA survey in which prices have gone down. Prices now average 52 cents less than in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in September.

AAA’s Oct. 17 survey of prices in Rhode Island found self-serve unleaded regular averaging $2.719 per gallon, down 10 cents from last week. A year ago at this time, the average price was $1.899.

Prices are down across all grades of self- and full-serve gasoline, as reduced U.S. gasoline demand helps offset refinery outages in Louisiana and Texas. Operations in the Gulf are continuing to slowly return to normal.

The range in prices in AAA’s survey for regular unleaded is 32 cents, from a low of $2.579 to a high of $2.899. Motorists should continue to shop around for the best prices in their area, said AAA.