Connecticut Gas Prices Rise Three Cents As Supplies Tighten, AAA Says

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut’s average gasoline price rose three cents this week as regional supply dipped and demand edged higher, according to AAA Northeast.

AAA’s Nov. 17 survey found the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline at $3.08, up from $3.05 last week. Prices are also slightly higher than a month ago, when the average was $3.06, and above the $3.03 recorded on the same day last year.

Nationally, the average remains unchanged from last week at $3.07 per gallon.

The modest increase comes as gasoline demand climbed from 8.87 million barrels a day to 9.02 million barrels a day, while supply fell from 206 million to 205.1 million barrels, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Inventories are now about 4 percent below seasonal norms, due in part to strong exports.

The East Coast accounted for a significant portion of the decline, with inventories roughly 2 million barrels lower than this time last year.

“Shrinking inventories mixed with modest increases in demand are moving prices upward,” AAA Northeast spokesperson Lauren Fabrizi said. She added that demand remains lower than a year ago, “helping to keep steeper increases in the Northeast at bay.”

Oklahoma and Mississippi currently post the nation’s lowest averages at $2.49 and $2.60, while California and Hawaii hold the highest at $4.66 and $4.45. Connecticut ranks 18th among states with the highest gas prices.