Gas Prices Surge Another 8 Cents In Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI — The weekslong gas price surge across the country continued in Rhode Island over the past week. Since last Monday, the average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gas spiked eight cents.

This week's average price, $2.77, is 31 cents higher that this time last month, when it was $2.46. This time last year, the average price of gas was just $2.35.

As has been the case throughout the spike, Rhode Island's average price is lower than the national average, which is currently nine cents higher at $2.86 per gallon.

The sharp increase in prices is blamed on last month's unprecedented winter storm in Texas, which brought the national average up by 40 cents. Last week, the Energy Information Administration reported that gas stocks have continued to fall for a second week at the same time that demand heated up.

"On average, Americans are paying 14% more to fill-up compared to February," said Lloyd Albert, a spokesperson for AAA Northeast. "With increased demand and tighter gasoline supplies, we are looking at more expensive pump prices with little relief in the weeks ahead."

In Massachusetts, the average price of gas is two cents lower than Rhode Island at $2.75 per gallon. Connecticut, meanwhile, is considerably higher than Rhode Island at $2.88 per gallon.