Gas prices continue rise

By PBN Staff

PROVIDENCE – With a third consecutive week of increases, the average price of self-serve, unleaded regular gasoline in Rhode Island hit $3.49 per gallon Monday, according the weekly AAA Southern New England survey of service stations.

The 4 cent increase over the last week followed a 12 cent rise the previous two weeks and leaves the price in Rhode Island 10 cents greater than the national average.

Prices varied from $3.44 to $3.58 per gallon at Ocean State service stations for regular unleaded, with midgrade unleaded ranging from $3.52 to $3.80, premium unleaded from $3.60 to $3.90 and diesel from $3.93 to $4.00.

In the same survey, AAA recorded an increase in gas prices for the fourth consecutive week in Massachusetts, as fuel gained 3 cents in the last week to hit $3.41 per gallon, 2 cents higher than the national average.

Prices in the Bay State showed greater variation, ranging from $3.23 to $3.90 per gallon for regular unleaded, $3.41 to $4.30 for midgrade unleaded, $3.55 to $4.40 for premium unleaded and $3.90 to $4.00 for diesel.