The increase in prices comes even after demand for gasoline last week was lower than the comparable week in 2024, settling at 8.79 million barrels a day, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. That’s an increase of a scant 77,000 barrels a day over the prior week, and the second straight week that demand has been below 9 million barrels a day — a benchmark that demand typically exceeds in the warmer months.
As demand ticked upward, gasoline inventories declined across most of the United States — including the Northeast where supplies fell to 58.2 million barrels. That’s still above last year’s figure of 55.5 million barrels, and one of the key factors keeping pump prices in our region more than 50 cents cheaper than this time last year.
Petroleum market prices were buoyed last week on reports that the United States and China had agreed to a 90-day reduction on some tariffs. By the close of markets on Friday, oil prices settled about $5 higher than the recent low of about $57 a barrel during the first week of May. Markets last week also responded to the U.S. Department of Labor’s report that inflation for April was 2.3% — the lowest monthly inflation reading since February 2021.
“Even with prices edging higher ahead of the holiday, Americans will encounter noticeably cheaper gasoline compared to this time last year as they take to the road this Memorial Day in record numbers,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast.
AAA Northeast’s May 19 survey of fuel prices found the current national average up 4 cents from last week ($3.13), averaging $3.17 per gallon. The May 19 national average price was 2 cents higher than a month ago ($3.15) and 42 cents lower than this day last year ($3.59).
| Region | Current Price* | One Week Ago | One Month Ago | One Year Ago |
| Connecticut | $3.10 | $3.06 | $3.04 | $3.68 |
| Massachusetts | $2.99 | $2.96 | $2.95 | $3.55 |
| New Jersey | $2.99 | $2.98 | $2.97 | $3.51 |
| New York | $3.12 | $3.09 | $3.09 | $3.69 |
| Rhode Island | $3 | $2.95 | $2.94 | $3.57 |
*Prices as of May 19, 2025
As of May 19, Mississippi and Tennessee had the lowest prices in the nation, at $2.66 and $2.72, respectively. California and Hawaii held the highest prices in the nation at $4.91 and $4.48, respectively.
The AAA Gas Prices website is your resource for up-to-date fuel price information. Search for average gas prices on national, state and metro levels by regular, plus, premium and diesel.
Based in Rhode Island, Jillian Young is AAA Northeast’s director of public relations. She regularly appears in local TV, radio and print media to discuss traffic safety, travel, insurance and more.
