Rhode Island's Average Gas Price Reaches $3.40

PROVIDENCE, RI — After weeks of steep increases, gas prices have started to level off in Rhode Island. The average price per gallon went up by two cents per gallon over the past week, bringing it to $3.40.

That's a full quarter per gallon more to fill up than this time last month, when the average price was a (still high) $3.15. This time last year, the average price was well over a dollar per gallon less at $2.08.

However, good news may be on the way. Rhode Islanders could soon see some relief from eye-watering prices at the pump for an unexpected reason, according to AAA Northeast.

"Many people mourn the end of Daylight Saving Time, with its earlier sunsets," said Lloyd Albert, a spokesperson for the company. "But when darkness falls earlier, demand for gasoline often drops as well, because people tend to head straight home from work rather than go out in the evening. And that falling demand often puts downward pressure on prices at the pump."

Rhode Island's average price per gallon is 2 cents lower than the national average of $3.42. Massachusetts's price is currently the same as Rhode Island's, while Connecticut is $3.53, 13 cents higher.