Gas prices moved upward last week.
In Delaware, the price rose three cents over the past week to $2.21 a gallon for regular, but down nearly a nickel for the month and 87 cents from the same period a year ago, Wilmington-based AAA Mid-Atlantic reported.
Prices in Delaware were as low as $2.08 a gallon along Lancaster Avenue on the outskirts of Wilmington. Other areas saw the end of mini gas wars from independents, allowing price leader Wawa to charge more.
Last week, the price of crude oil rose about $4 a barrel to nearly $49.50.
“Gas prices tend to move lower during the autumn and winter months due to seasonal declines in both driving and gasoline demand, and pump prices have fallen during the month of October for three years in a row,” said Jana L. Tidwell, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Despite upcoming seasonal refinery maintenance, there should still be more than enough gasoline to meet demand because people tend to drive less this time of year.”
AAA officials cautioned that refinery maintenance could result in higher prices for a time, since plants ran near capacity during the summer. Delaware’s only refinery ran at reduced rates as scheduled maintenance was moved up, due to an equipment failure and small fire.
Drivers can use AAA’s Fuel Price Finder (AAA.com/fuelfinder) to find the lowest fuel price in the area.
