Gas prices in Delaware, are now the lowest in the region.
According to figures from Wilmington-based AAA Mid-Atlantic, the average price of $2.08 a gallon was 14 cents below the average price in New Jersey, as of Wednesday.
A 23-cent increase in gas prices has gone into effect in New Jersey, after the state’s transportation funds dried up and led to a halt in construction.
New Jersey gas prices had been a dime or more a gallon below Delaware. As word gets out about the higher prices, the state could see a modest uptick in fill-ups from motorists and commuters traveling into the Garden State
Delaware did see an uptick at mid-week, with prices at some stations rising by eight cents a gallon. Also disappearing this week was $2 a gallon gas at a few locations in the Newark area and Dover.
An explosion at the Colonial gasoline pipeline in Alabama has contributed to the higher price at the pump, despite lower crude oil prices.
On Sunday, AAA Mid-Atlantic noted that the state might see price volatility, due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance at East Coast refineries, including a nearby refinery in Trainer, PA owned by Delta Airlines.
Putting downward pressure on prices is the end of the summer driving season and a switch to lower-priced winter gasoline blends.
Delaware legislators have stopped sort of gas tax increases, instead of tapping into the state’s low vehicle fees for added revenues.
A sizable amount of construction work is under way, mainly below the C&D Canal as a new toll road around Middletown and other projects move forward.