Crude oil prices settled sharply higher on April 2, ending the holiday-shortened trading week. West Texas Intermediate settled at $111 a barrel and Brent finished at $109 amid signs of continued escalation in the conflict, which has caused massive disruption to global petroleum markets since it began on Feb. 28.
Even as higher gasoline prices are causing pain at the pump, it hasn’t yet quelled demand from U.S. drivers, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA reported demand last week reached a solid 8.68 million barrels a day — 191,000 barrels a day higher than the same week last year. Demand over the past four weeks has averaged 111,000 barrels a day higher than the comparable period a year ago.
The steady demand, along with fuel distributors pushing the last of winter-blend gasoline out of the system, has led to a steady drawdown of domestic inventories. Gasoline supplies have fallen for seven straight weeks, according to the EIA. They declined by 600,000 barrels last week but remain above year-ago levels and the five-year average. The still ample supply of gasoline has helped ease some pressure on gas prices since the war began.
“Rising gas prices have not led to a dip in demand at this point,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “As the busy spring and summer driving seasons get underway, time will tell if higher prices have any impact on drivers’ appetite for hitting the road.”
AAA’s April 6 survey of fuel prices found the national average up 12 cents from last week ($3.99), averaging $4.11 per gallon. The April 6 national average price was 79 cents higher than a month ago ($3.32) and 86 cents higher than last year ($3.25).
| Region | Current Price* | One Week Ago | One Month Ago | One Year Ago |
| Connecticut | $4.08 | $3.93 | $3.17 | $3.10 |
| Massachusetts | $3.93 | $3.80 | $3.15 | $2.99 |
| New Jersey | $4.09 | $3.87 | $3.19 | $3.06 |
| New York | $4.06 | $3.93 | $3.22 | $3.13 |
| Rhode Island | $3.99 | $3.82 | $3.15 | $2.99 |
*Prices as of April 6, 2026
As of April 6, Oklahoma and Kansas had the lowest prices in the nation at $3.27 and $3.36, respectively. California and Hawaii had the highest prices in the nation at $5.92 and $5.59, 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.
