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STAMFORD, Conn. Gas prices in Stamford and across the state are once again reaching nation-leading levels. But experts from AAA predict that fuel costs will soon drop.
Connecticuts gas prices were the highest in the continental U.S. Wednesday afternoon, according to data from AAA. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in the state was $4.153, compared to a nationwide average of $3.854. Only Hawaii, at $4.417, had a higher per-gallon average.
The states average gas price has risen more than 16 cents per gallon in the last month and nearly 40 cents from the low point on July 1. But average prices are still well shy of the states all-time high of $4.39-per-gallon recorded July 9, 2008, and have dropped a few cents in the past few days.
AAA expects the national average to decline in the coming months as demand drops off following the busy summer driving period, as refineries switch from summer-blend to less expensive winter-blend gasoline and as hurricane season draws to a close, Michael Green, AAA media relations manager, wrote in his weekly update on gas prices.
Fairfield County is the hardest hit across the state, AAAs data says. The Bridgeport metropolitan area, which covers most of southwestern Connecticut, pays a current average of $4.232 per gallon, compared to 4.132 in Hartford, $4.131 in New Haven and $4.123 in the Norwich-New London area.
For the bargain-hunters, Stamfords lowest gas prices Wednesday afternoon were at the Gulf Station on East Main Street, $4.17 per gallon, and the Cove Road Mini Mart, $4.18 for regular unleaded, according to Connecticut Gas Prices website. The website listed several others locations with $4.19 for regular unleaded gas.
Until prices drop, AAA offers a few tips for drivers looking to save money:
? Consolidate trips and errands to cut down on driving time and miles traveled. Find one area where you can take care of banking, grocery shopping and other errands.
? Slow down. The faster a vehicle travels the more fuel it burns.
? Avoid quick starts and sudden stops. This wastes fuel, is harder on vehicle components and increases the odds of a crash.
? Lighten the load. Dont haul unnecessary weight in the passenger compartment, trunk or cargo area of your vehicle. A heavier vehicle uses more gas.
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