Massachusetts Gas Prices Down 9 Cents From Last Week: AAA

BOSTON — Gas prices are still at an all-time high across Massachusetts, but for the first time in weeks the average price has dropped.

The average gas price in Massachusetts now sits at $4.35, averaging at about $4.26 per gallon, a nine-cent drop from last week.

Monday's price is 72 cents higher than it was a month ago when it was $3.45 - and more than $1.50 more than it was exactly one year ago at $2.76 per gallon, according to AAA.

After hitting a record $4.33 on March 11, the national average for a gallon of gasoline has fallen to $4.25. A spokesperson for AAA Northeast in a statement said the primary reason for the price dip was a decrease in the global price of crude oil. The price peaked shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, but has since dropped by more than $20 per barrel.

"Usually this time of year, with warmer weather and longer days, we'd see an uptick in gasoline demand as more people hit the road," said Mary Maguire, Director of Public/Government Affairs. "But demand was down slightly last week, likely due in part to higher pump prices. As geopolitical tensions continue unabated, we can expect to see more volatility in oil prices, leading to significant fluctuations in the price of gasoline and diesel in the near-term."

Massachusetts's average gas price is 1 cent higher than the national average.