The national average rose more than $1 in one month to almost $4 a gallon. Crude oil prices remain elevated, settling above $100 a barrel when markets closed on March 27. Continued attacks on infrastructure across the Persian Gulf region and Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz are keeping pressure on oil and gas prices around the globe.
Domestically, tightening gasoline inventories and stronger demand are adding additional pressure to pump prices. U.S. gasoline reserves fell by 2.6 million barrels to 241.4 million barrels last week, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). It was the sixth-straight weekly decline as suppliers purge winter-blend gasoline and more regions transition to summer-blend fuel. Gasoline demand topped 8.92 million barrels a day, up 196,000 barrels a day from the previous week and 281,000 barrels a day higher than the same time last year, the EIA reported. Demand typically climbs during peak spring break season, and many retailers are stepping up purchases to get ahead of future price increases.
“While the pace of price increases at U.S. gas pumps slowed in many markets last week — and some areas even saw slight declines of a penny or two — oil and gas markets remain unsettled,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “War and higher oil prices will ultimately continue to be the primary driver of prices at the pump.”
AAA’s March 30 survey of fuel prices found the national average up 4 cents from last week ($3.95), averaging $3.99 per gallon. The March 30 national average price was $1.01 higher than a month ago ($2.98) and 84 cents higher than this day last year ($3.15).
| Region | Current Price* | One Week Ago | One Month Ago | One Year Ago |
| Connecticut | $3.93 | $3.88 | $2.91 | $3.04 |
| Massachusetts | $3.80 | $3.73 | $2.90 | $2.97 |
| New Jersey | $3.87 | $3.88 | $2.91 | $2.96 |
| New York | $3.93 | $3.85 | $3 | $3.11 |
| Rhode Island | $3.82 | $3.76 | $2.89 | $2.95 |
*Prices as of March 30, 2026
As of March 30, Oklahoma and Kansas had the lowest prices in the nation at $3.25 each. California and Hawaii had the highest prices in the nation this week at $5.87 and $5.41, 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.
Last updated on March 30, 2026 by AAA Staff
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.
