Oil prices have risen for two straight weeks as markets react to the lack of progress toward a peace deal that would end the six-month war and reopen the strait to oil tanker traffic. Ongoing concerns about the impact on global oil supplies sent crude prices higher by about 6% last week, with West Texas Intermediate ending the week above $85, and Brent settling above $94 — levels last seen in late July.
Along with higher oil prices, pump prices are under steady pressure from tighter-than-average domestic gasoline inventories — even as demand figures from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) show signs of the summer driving season beginning to slow down. Regional gasoline stockpiles are 8% lower than last year and 9% lower than in 2024 even as refinery activity and gasoline production last week rose above year-ago levels, according to the EIA. Demand, on the other hand, eased to the lowest level since late May, settling at 8.68 million barrels a day. While softer demand is typical in the final weeks of summer, exports of U.S. gasoline remain above average as foreign countries seek alternate sources of fuel amid the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“In a typical year, gasoline prices gradually ease through August as the summer driving season rides into the sunset and children head back to school,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “This year, families are wrapping up their back-to-school shopping amid rising pump prices, which remain about 25% higher than this time last year.”
AAA’s Aug. 24 survey of fuel prices found the national average up 3 cents from the previous week ($4.06), averaging $4.09 per gallon. The Aug. 24 national average price was a penny lower than last month ($4.10) and 94 cents higher than last year ($3.15).
As of Aug. 24, Indiana and Texas had the lowest prices in the nation at $3.50 and $3.61, respectively. California and Hawaii had the highest prices in the nation at $5.62 and $5.41, respectively.
| Region | Current Price* | One Week Ago | One Month Ago | One Year Ago |
| Connecticut | $4.13 | $4.06 | $4.18 | $3.10 |
| Massachusetts | $4.07 | $4.02 | $4.10 | $3.05 |
| New Jersey | $4.03 | $3.96 | $4.17 | $3.06 |
| New York | $4.16 | $4.12 | $4.21 | $3.15 |
| Rhode Island | $4.04 | $3.94 | $4.11 | $3.03 |
Gas Prices by State Over Time
*Prices as of Aug. 24, 2026
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 August 25, 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.
