After Holding Steady, Rhode Island Gas Prices Climb 3 Cents

PROVIDENCE, RI — After holding steady for several weeks, Rhode Island's average gas prices are once again on the rise. Over the past week, the average price per gallon went up three cents to $2.80.

This time last year, the average price per gallon was close to $1 cheaper per gallon, as Rhode Islanders stayed home amid the height of the coroanvirus pandemic. As of April 26, 2020, the average cost per gallon in the state was $1.93, 87 cents lower.

"Both demand and supply have steadily increased over the last several weeks," said Lloyd Albert, a spokesperson for AAA Northeast. "The jump in demand combined with a small increase in supply pushed the national gas price average two cents more expensive on the week to $2.88. This is the largest one-week national jump we’ve seen in five weeks."

Rhode Island's current average price is lower than both the national average of $2.86 and Connecticut's average price of $2.91 per gallon. It's three cents higher than the average price in Massachusetts.