Despite several factors that would increase gas prices, Massachusetts sees another dip this week, over the past year overall

Westwood, MA, January 3, 2023 — Despite several factors that would increase the price of gas, Massachusetts prices continued to decline overall over the last week.

According to AAA, the average gas price in Massachusetts is down 2 cents from last week ($3.37), averaging $3.35 per gallon. Today’s price is 33 cents lower than a month ago ($3.68), and 3 cents lower than January 3, 2022 ($3.38). Massachusetts’ average gas price is 13 cents higher than the national average.

The late December winter storm and its frigid temperatures caused gas prices nationally to spike, with refineries as far south as Texas and the Gulf Coast forced to shut down temporarily. The storm also caused holiday travelers to fuel up and hit the road early to beat the bad weather, leading to a spike in overall gas demand.

“The cost of gas may fluctuate due to less expensive oil and a return to seasonal driving patterns,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Vice President of Public and Government Affairs. “But 2022 will go down as a record year with a national annual average of $3.96.”

AAA Northeast’s January 3 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 12 cents higher than last week ($3.10), averaging $3.22 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 20 cents lower than a month ago ($3.42), and 6 cents lower than this day last year ($3.28).