Supply and demand data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) last week showed seasonal expectations taking hold: Gasoline demand is strengthening as winter draws to a close, and gasoline output is declining as refiners conduct maintenance before the busy summer driving season. Domestic refiners operated at their lowest capacity since October with output falling by 223,000 barrels a day, according to the EIA. Demand settled at 8.73 million barrels a day — a slight decline of 16,000 barrels a day from the prior week, but well above the comparable weeks of 2024 and 2025.
Oil prices, meanwhile, reached levels not seen in more than a year after weekend bomb strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel. While it’s too soon to determine the long-term impact of the conflict on local gasoline prices, higher global oil prices and the disruption of seaborne cargos through the region are causing immediate price hikes to ripple through global petroleum markets.
“Even before the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, gasoline prices were poised to begin climbing on seasonal expectations of increased demand and higher production costs,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “When markets react to geopolitical conflict, rising oil prices put upward pressure on gas prices, but time will tell how large the impact will be at the pump.”
AAA’s March 2 survey of fuel prices found the national average up 6 cents from the prior week ($2.93), averaging $2.99 per gallon. The March 2 national average price was 12 cents higher than the previous month ($2.87) and 10 cents lower than March 2, 2025 ($3.09).
| Region | Current Price* | One Week Ago | One Month Ago | One Year Ago |
| Connecticut | $2.92 | $2.90 | $2.87 | $3.06 |
| Massachusetts | $2.91 | $2.90 | $2.90 | $3.01 |
| New Jersey | $2.91 | $2.92 | $2.86 | $3 |
| New York | $3 | $2.99 | $2.98 | $3.15 |
| Rhode Island | $2.90 | $2.86 | $2.86 | $2.98 |
*Prices as of March 2, 2026
As of March 2, Oklahoma and Mississippi had the lowest prices in the nation at $2.47 and $2.54, respectively. California and Hawaii had the highest prices at $4.65 and $4.38, 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.
