AAA: CT gas prices up 21 cents since last week
“The only saving grace in CT is that they did away with the gas tax.” Fran Mayko, spokesperson for AAA Northeast
Drivers in Connecticut are paying an average of $4.89 for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to the latest data from AAA, which tracks gas prices nationwide.
As of Monday, the price reflects a 21-cent increase from a week ago, when the average price for a gallon of regular was $4.68, and is the highest average price on record, according to AAA.
The price increase follows the traditional start of the summer road trip season after Memorial
Day weekend.
“Despite the price going up, people are still traveling,” said Fran Mayko, a spokesperson for AAA Northeast. Drivers are “tired of hunkering down, they’re tired of reducing their drive,” Mayko said.
Mayko said prices will likely continue to increase through the July 4 holiday.
“It just remains to be seen if people are going to alter their summer travel plans” if gas reaches $5 a gallon in Connecticut, she said.
Nationally, the price of gas has broken records for 26 consecutive days.
The Connecticut average gas price stands just above the national mark of $4.86 for a gallon of regular. The price has slowly increased after Connecticut lawmakers suspended the state gas tax. The temporary freeze is scheduled to expire at the end of this month.
“The only saving grace in CT is that they did away with the gas tax,” Mayko said.
State Attorney General William Tong’s office has said it would investigate gas retailers accused of price gouging during the gas tax suspension. As of June 2, the office had received 227 complaints of price gouging, a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office said. The office has sent 103 letters to retailers seeking more information, while 50 matters have been closed.
The average price for a gallon of gas a month ago was $4.23, according to AAA’s data. A year ago, the average price was $3.08.
By region, drivers in Fairfield and Windham counties are paying the most for gas at $4.95 and $4.92, respectively. Windham County’s neighbors in Tolland are fairing slightly better, with an average of $4.88 a gallon — the lowest in the state.
Nationally, Connecticut ranks 20th among the states with the most expensive gas on average. As of Monday, drivers in California were paying the most, at an average of $6.34 per gallon. That’s followed by Nevada at $5.49 and Hawaii at $5.47.
Drivers in Georgia and Arkansas are paying the least, at around $4.29 and $4.40 a gallon, respectively.
The cost of diesel also hit a new record in Connecticut on May 18 when it reached $6.44 a gallon.
Joe Sculley, president of the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, said truckers are being “slammed” between the cost of diesel, with a diesel tax that’s set to increase, and a highway use tax that takes effect at the start of next year.
Sculley said transport businesses, which are small fleet operators are trying to adjust. That may mean increasing prices or holding off on raises for employees.
“They’re making tough decisions all over the place,” Sculley said. “And ultimately, those decisions do trickle down to the consumer.”