R.I. gas prices below $3, lowest in four years

GASOLINE PRICES ARE AT THEIR LOWEST in Rhode island since Nov. 15, 2010, according to AAA Southern New England. / BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO/ANDREW HARRER
GASOLINE PRICES ARE AT THEIR LOWEST in Rhode island since Nov. 15, 2010, according to AAA Southern New England. / BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO/ANDREW HARRER

PROVIDENCE – Almost four years to the day from the last time it occurred, gasoline prices in the Ocean State have fallen below $3 per gallon, according to AAA Southern New England.

The Nov. 17 weekly survey of gasoline prices found that self-serve, regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.99 per gallon, down 3 cents from last week, and 22 cents lower than a month ago. The current price remains 9 cents higher than the national average for regular unleaded at $2.90, however.

A year ago at this time, Rhode Island’s average price was 42 cents higher at $3.41.

The last time gas prices fell below $3 was on Nov. 15, 2010 – the price then was $2.96 per gallon.

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“Since June, the price of crude oil has fallen dramatically, by 35 percent,” Lloyd P. Albert, AAA Southern New England Senior Vice President of Public and Government Affairs, said in a statement. “Combine that with strong supplies and lesser demand, and it’s easy to see why prices have dropped. And the indications are that this downward trend will continue.”
Prices range from $2.86 to $3.19. Average per-gallon prices for different grades of self-serve gas ranged from $3.28 for mid-grade unleaded to $3.42 for premium unleaded and $3.56 for diesel.

In Massachusetts, self-serve, regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.94 per gallon, down 3 cents from last week. Prices locally are 24 cents lower than a month ago, and 4 cents more than the national average for self-serve unleaded. A year ago at this time, the Massachusetts average price was 35 cents higher at $3.29.
Prices in Massachusetts range from $2.76 to $3.33. Average per-gallon prices for different grades of self-serve gas ranged from $3.21 for mid-grade unleaded to $3.35 for premium unleaded and $3.51 for diesel.

AAA offered the following tip: As temperatures drop, so does air pressure in tires. To maximize fuel economy, check and adjust tire pressure once per month.

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