Average price for a gallon of gas in Mass. is $4.27; here's the cheapest on the South Shore

Patriot Ledger staff
·2 min read

If you're headed out on the road and want to save money, we can help with our weekly gas prices compiled Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Gas price increases in Massachusetts did not continue this week after a spike brought by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The average price for a gallon of gas in Massachusetts is $4.27 – 10 cents lower than last week, according to AAA, and 32 cents higher than the national average.

This week's price is 40 cents lower than a month ago, which had an average of $4.67, and $1.22 higher than in August 2021, which had a $3.05 average.

“Falling pump prices may eventually lead to more drivers hitting the road again,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast director of public and government affairs. “But that hasn’t happened yet. Instead, many drivers are waiting for prices to fall further before reverting to their typical driving habits.”

The decrease in gas prices is due to lower demand among drivers and oil released from the strategic petroleum reserve have eased pressure at the pump. But the bulk of savings come from the drop in oil prices, according to USA Today.

President Joe Biden's approval ratings dropped as gas prices rose. A Quinnipiac University poll found that 4 in 10 Americans blamed Biden for the spike in gas prices.

But energy analysts say it is not Biden's policies but the global rise in oil prices that is driving the higher costs. Some analysts say the driver behind the high gas prices is the low refining capacity, which breaks down crude oil. More refineries in Russia were taken offline amid the invasion of Ukraine, lessening the refining capacity. In the U.S., increased costs are also a result of refinery shutdowns during the pandemic, experts say.

Experts predict an increase in gas prices with the seasonal demand and increase in oil prices.

More: Gas prices surge again to record high but the driver is refineries, not oil prices

Words from the president: With gas prices at $5 a gallon, Biden tells oil companies to cut costs for Americans

'Stop robbing the public': Massachusetts gas station owner stops selling gas amid soaring prices

Here's where you can you find the cheapest gas on the South Shore:

AL Prime, Marshfield

2170 Ocean St.

$3.89

Steve's Auto, Rockland

246 E Water St.

$3.95

A.L. Prime Energy, Whitman

79 Temple St.

$3.99

AL Prime, Rockland

327 Market St.

$3.99

CITGO, Abington

115 Brockton Ave.

$3.99

BJ's Gas Station, Plymouth

105 Shops at 5 Way

$3.99

Irving, Pembroke

92 Washington St.

$4.09

Shell, Plymouth

7 Home Depot Dr.

$4.09

Cumberland Farms, Pembroke

137 Center St.

$4.09

Prestige Gas, Quincy

9 Franklin St.

$4.19

Prices as of Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. This will be updated weekly.

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Information from USA TODAY is used in this report. Patriot Ledger reporter Katherine Canniff and Dina Kaur contributed.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Here's where to find the cheapest gas on the South Shore