A 16-week stretch of falling gas prices came to an end with Rhode Island’s average price up 19 cents from last week, averaging $3.50 per gallon. Tuesday’s price is 20 cents lower than a month ago, and 33 cents higher than October 11, 2021. Rhode Island’s average gas price is 42 cents lower than the national average. The last time Rhode Island gas prices increased was during the week of June 13 when they reached an all-time-high of $5.02 per gallon.                                                                                                                                    

“The announced plans by OPEC+ to cut production certainly had an impact on oil prices, but that alone wouldn’t account for the increases we are seeing locally this week,” said Diana Gugliotta, Director of Public Affairs for AAA Northeast. “Inventories are somewhat low, and low supplies lead to higher prices at the pump.”

 AAA Northeast’s October 11 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 12 cents higher than last week, averaging $3.92 a gallon. Tuesday’s national average price was 21 cents higher than a month ago, and 65 cents higher than this day last year.