AAA: Average Rhode Island Pump Prices Up Slightly as Spring Approaches
PROVIDENCE, R.I., Feb. 24, 2025 — March might be around the corner, but you wouldn’t know it based solely on gasoline prices across the Northeast.
Thanks to ample supplies, steady production, soft demand and growing concerns about a slowing economy, the price for a gallon of regular unleaded has barely moved week-over-week across the region and increasingly trails last year. In some states, more than 10 cents separate the prices seen this year and the comparable week of 2024.
According to the Energy Information Administration, demand for gasoline fell to 8.23 million barrels a day last week — a drop of 338,000 barrels a day from the prior week — likely due to the return of severe cold to much of the United States. Frigid temperatures typically hold back demand as people skip driving excursions and stay home.
In the Northeast, despite a drawdown of about 200,000 barrels last week, gasoline supplies are ahead of last year by 2 million barrels, the EIA reported. Coupled with the lackluster demand, prices remain suppressed at a time when they typically begin climbing in anticipation of the switch to summer blended fuel in April.
Locally, the average gas price in Rhode Island is up two cents from last week ($3), averaging $3.02 per gallon. Today’s price is 2 cents higher than a month ago ($3) and 12 cents lower than a year ago ($3.14). Rhode Island’s average gas price is 12 cents lower than the national average.
“Domestic refiners are beginning to face the potential for an oversupply of winter blended fuel, and that’s helping keep prices in check as we enter the waning weeks of winter,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “Eventually, prices will climb as the more expensive summer blend begins to appear on the market in the coming weeks.”
AAA Northeast’s Feb. 24 survey of fuel prices found the current national average down 2 cents from last week ($3.16), averaging $3.14 gallon. Today’s national average price is a penny higher than a month ago ($3.13) and 12 cents lower than this day last year ($3.26).
Today, Mississippi and Texas have the lowest prices in the nation at $2.66 and $2.73 respectively. California and Hawaii hold the highest prices in the nation this week at $4.84 and $4.55, respectively. Rhode Island holds the 23rd place on the list of highest gas prices in the nation.
The AAA Gas Prices website is your resource for up-to-date fuel price information. Search for average gas prices on national, state and metro levels by regular, plus, premium and diesel.
AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing more than 6.5 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.
