AAA’s end-of-the-month gas price report shows a 5.1 percent increase in the national average for gas prices, or 17 cents a gallon over the course of July.
This was the first monthly increase since March and the largest July increase in more than a dozen years, since AAA began tracking the numbers.
Higher global oil prices and increased demand for gasoline during the busy summer driving season were the primary factors that sent pump prices higher in July.
Connecticut continues to have the most expensive average gasoline price in the country outside of Hawaii and Alaska.
The statewide average price for regular gasoline was $3.83 per gallon Thursday – flat from a week ago, up 20 cents from a month ago, and down 23 cents from a year ago, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.
Motorists in the greater Hartford and New London-Norwich areas are paying, on average, $3.80 for a gallon of regular, up about 20 cents in the past month.
Heading into August, AAA predicts that national gas prices are likely to remain relatively flat with the possibility of a small increase.
Gas prices should begin to fall soon after Labor Day as the summer driving season ends, gas demand declines, and refineries transition to less expensive fuel blends.
As motorists continue to enjoy the summer travel season, AAA has a new service to help them find the cheapest fuel prices in the area.
Motorists can text “GAS” and their five-digit ZIP code (example: GAS 06103) to AAA411 (222411) to activate weekly mobile alerts about the lowest gas prices in their area (to opt out of future messages, simply text “STOP GAS” to 222411).
Mobile phone users can also visit AAA.com/mobilealerts for a full range of services on-the-go, including trip planning and insurance information. Messaging and data rates apply; see your carrier for details.
