AAA reported that Delaware gas prices have remained steady during the past week.
While domestic gas demand has been lackluster, rising crude oil futures pushed pump prices higher, AAA reported.
Delaware’s pump price is now more than 20 cents lower than the national average. Delaware has one of the nation’s lowest gas taxes, but that has not always been reflected in the pump price.
The Midwest may see a price reprieve, as the large BP Whiting refinery in Indiana is back up and running after being down since February 1st. The refinery is three times larger than Delaware’s PBF refinery.
In northern Delaware, warehouse clubs BJ’s and Costco posted a $3.08 a gallon price for regular, down a few cents from last week.
“Gas prices are a lot like seasonal temperatures. They start to rise with the arrival of spring, said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “And the national average for gas is now higher than a year ago, which we have not seen since late December.”
Tuesday Delaware gas prices
| Timeframe | Regular | Mid-Grade | Premium | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Avg. | $3.295 | $3.816 | $4.114 | $4.049 |
| Yesterday Avg. | $3.298 | $3.819 | $4.109 | $4.067 |
| Week Ago Avg. | $3.292 | $3.836 | $4.121 | $4.029 |
| Month Ago Avg. | $3.212 | $3.719 | $4.020 | $4.118 |
| Year Ago Avg. | $3.252 | $3.684 | $3.962 | $4.002 |
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gas demand decreased slightly from 9.04 to 8.81 million barrels a day last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks dropped by 3.3 million bbl to 230.8 million barrels. Lower demand would typically contribute to lower prices at the pump or slowing increases, but rising oil prices have the opposite effect.
Crude oil was trading at around $82 a barrel on Tuesday morning.
