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The previous week, those same prices rose by a dime, said the report.
Whatever the case, average prices in the state and nationally continue to rise.
Monday's prices average $2.15, up 5 cents since last week and 29 cents since last month. Compared to last year, however, average prices are down 32 cents.
In AAA's weekly survey of four regional areas prices are as follows:
- Greater Bridgeport/Stamford $2.22 per gallon.
- New Haven/Meriden $2.13 per gallon.
- Greater Hartford $2.12 per gallon.
- New London/Norwich $2.14per gallon.
- Statewide average: $2.15 per gallon.
On the national level, average prices hit $2.06 on Monday, 2 cents higher than this time last week and 25 cents higher than last month. Compared to last year, however, national average prices 34 cents lower.
Higher prices at this time of year aren’t unexpected. Refineries are conducting seasonal maintenance to produce the environmentally friendly, federally mandated summer blends.
To conduct maintenance, refineries are offline, which in turn, means less fuel in the national pipeline.
Refineries also are selling off their existing supply to make room for the new blends that will be sold beginning June 1.
This supply reduction often leads to higher prices at the pump because, during this period, demand increases as warmer temps motivate more drivers to hit the road.
California and Hawaii lead the country with the prices at the pump, $2.79 and $2.60 per gallon, respectively, while Oklahoma at $1.85 has the lowest.
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