Local drivers are feeling the pinch at the pump as New Jersey’s average gas price is now two cents higher than its 2017 high price of $2.80, reached on September 6 of last year following Hurricane Harvey. Since January 1, the cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gas in New Jersey is up 26 cents. Today’s national gas price average is now 11 cents above its 2017 high of $2.67.
(You can always check the cheapest prices in the area on GasBuddy.com)
“The end of winter weather, higher oil prices and the switchover to summer blended gasoline are all contributing factors that have and will continue to drive gas prices higher into early spring,” says Tracy Noble, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “As we head into spring and early summer, we anticipate motorists could pay the highest gas prices in over three years.”
Regional Gasoline Price Comparison
|
Today’s Price(4/19/18) |
2017 High Price/Date |
One Year Ago |
|
| New Jersey |
$2.82 |
$2.80 (9/6/17) |
$2.45 |
| Trenton |
$2.85 |
$2.81 (9/7/17) |
$2.48 |
| Cape May County |
$2.81 |
$2.74 (9/9/17) |
$2.44 |
| Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon Counties |
$2.84 |
$2.83 (9/6/17) |
$2.46 |
| Monmouth, Ocean Counties |
$2.84 |
$2.81 (9/7/17) |
$2.46 |
| National |
$2.77 |
$2.67 (9/8/17) |
$2.41 |
AAA anticipates gas price averages are likely to continue their upward trend leading ahead of the summer driving season as the switchover to more expensive summer blend gasoline begins (switchover day is May 1). Summer blend gasoline has a lower volatility than winter-grade gasoline to limit evaporative emissions that normally increase with warm weather and is more expensive to produce.