Northeast pump prices surged in response to escalating conflict in the Middle East and steady demand for gasoline as the summer driving season shifts into high gear.
Since the first week of June, oil prices have risen more than $10 a barrel and hovered between $74 and $78 a barrel on June 23 — a price level last seen in January. The increase stems in large part from the fighting that broke out between Israel and Iran on June 13, which intensified over the weekend with the United States launching airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
As oil and gas markets weighed the potential for continued conflict or for Iran to follow through on threats to block oil shipments in the region, oil and gas prices faced additional upward pressure on tightening inventories and robust demand figures reported last week by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Inventories of both oil and gasoline fell last week, according to the EIA, with oil stocks falling by a sizable 12 million barrels to 420.9 million barrels as refiners produced more gasoline and diesel and more oil was exported. In the Northeast, gasoline supplies shrank by 700,000 barrels to 58.7 million barrels, which is still above 56.1 million barrels in storage last year but below the 62-million-barrel five-year average.
Demand for gasoline reached 9.29 million barrels a day last week — a figure in line with expectations for this time of year and an increase over the prior week’s 9.17 million barrels a day, according to the EIA. After lackluster demand readings all spring, markets reacted to the stronger numbers in recent weeks with optimism, sending wholesale gasoline prices higher.
“It should come as no surprise to see prices at the pump spike after an escalating geopolitical conflict in the Middle East, but it’s not the only factor driving recent price increases,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “Prices were already poised to climb on stronger summer demand and seasonal expectations.”
AAA Northeast’s June 23 survey of fuel prices found the national average up 8 cents from last week ($3.14), averaging $3.22 per gallon. The June 23 national average price was 3 cents higher than a month ago ($3.19) and 22 cents lower than this day last year ($3.44).
| Region | Current Price* | One Week Ago | One Month Ago | One Year Ago |
| Connecticut | $3.17 | $3.09 | $3.11 | $3.54 |
| Massachusetts | $3.08 | $2.99 | $3.01 | $3.43 |
| New Jersey | $3.14 | $3.05 | $3.06 | $3.37 |
| New York | $3.20 | $3.11 | $3.13 | $3.58 |
| Rhode Island | $3.07 | $2.98 | $3.01 | $3.39 |
*Prices as of June 23, 2025
As of June 23, Mississippi and Oklahoma had the lowest prices in the nation at $2.73 and $2.82, respectively.California and Hawaii held the highest prices in the nation at $4.66 and $4.47, 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.
