Finally, some relief at the pumps for motorists during the holiday season.
After rising several cents each of the past three weeks, gasoline prices in Massachusetts are unchanged this week, according to AAA Southern New England.
AAA's weekly survey Monday found self-serve, regular averaging $2.92 per gallon, the same price as last week, when it jumped 4 cents from the week before. Prices had increased 13 cents in recent weeks.
The current price is 7 cents above the national average of $2.85. A year ago at this time, the Massachusetts average was $2.61.
MassachusettsGasPrices.com reports prices essentially unchanged, averaging $2.94 a gallon, after jumping a nickel last week from the prior week. Gasoline prices in Rhode Island last week passed the $3 mark, when they climbed an average of 6 cents from the previous week, and this week they are up another 2 cents, averaging $3.04 a gallon, AAA said.
Prices at gas stations have risen sharply over the past several weeks but oil prices have stabilized with the economic problems in Europe.
The cost for a barrel of oil did rise almost $2 Monday after the European Union agreed on a bailout plan for Ireland, although some concern remained a financial crisis could surface in Portugal and Spain. Traders also monitored ongoing tensions between North Korea and South Korea.
The range in prices in Massachusetts in the latest AAA survey for regular is 30 cents, from $2.79 to $3.09. Midgrade averaged $3.04, from $2.89 to $3.25. Premium averaged $3.15, from $2.99 to $3.45. Diesel averaged $3.24.
Find the most up-to-date local gas prices with the AAA Fuel Finder by logging onto AAA.com and clicking on Gas Saving Tips & Tools.
