Gas Prices Rise To Record Highs In Massachusetts Overnight

MASSACHUSETTS — Typically, we see an increase in gas prices following a three-day weekend, and Memorial Day is no exception. This week, with gas prices already as high as they are, Massachusetts continues to break record after record of increasing gas prices, with no indication of it stopping anytime soon.

Massachusetts' average gas price as of Wednesday, June 1, sits at $4.76 per gallon, surpassing the national average of $4.67, according to the American Automobile Association. Mid-grade gas is averaging around $5.09, with $5.35 for premium and $6.25 for diesel across the Bay State.

At an average of $4.76, that number is the highest ever recorded in Massachusetts, according to AAA. Quite the jump from the average price of a gallon of gas last year, where the average for Massachusetts was $2.92.

In Downtown Boston, it feels like the average price for a gallon of gas ranges from $4.90 to $5.20 per gallon. The Shell and Gulf gas stations in the South End are even asking for $5.60 per gallon. Down the Cape feels pretty similar, with an average pump looking like $4.80 per gallon.

Gas prices as a whole have been steadily increasing since the start of March, where the rise in gasoline prices coincides with the current situation in Ukraine caused by the ongoing Russian invasion. Other factors also weigh into the sharp increase, as crude oil is trading at $118 a barrel, which is 71 percent higher than just one year ago, and the pandemic's toll has burdened refineries who are just trying to keep up with demand as more people are going back into the office.

In the last month, gas has gone up about 50 cents a gallon, and according to Boston 25, an analyst with Gas Buddy is predicting prices could reach $5 a gallon by June 17th.

California still has the highest gas prices, with an average of $6.19 per gallon, raising about 13 cents from the week before. Georgia has the lowest average, averaging at about $4.16 per gallon.