Gas prices drop to four-year low

It what might be the ultimate example of irony, gas prices have fallen to four-year lows right at the moment when the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred government mandates for people to stay at home and avoid nonessential travel.

According to new data from AAA, the national average as of today is $1.99 for a gallon of regular gas, the lowest level recorded since March 2016. The national average was $2.44 in February and $2.69 in March 2019.

New York”™s average is $2.33 per gallon, down from $2.59 last month and $2.73 one year ago. Connecticut is now averaging $2.14 per gallon, compared with $2.54 in February and $2.72 in March 2019.

Within the region”™s submarkets, the average in White Plains is $2.48, down from $2.72 last month and $2.83 one year ago. The Dutchess-Putnam County submarket is averaging $2.43 per gallon, down from $2.68 last month and $2.75 one year ago. The Kingston submarket is averaging $2.30, down from $2.53 in February and $2.68 in March 2019.

Bridgeport”™s $2.29 average per gallon is a drop from the $2.64 price last month and $2.80 price one year ago. For Lower Fairfield County, the average is $2.26, compared with $2.62 last month and $2.81 one year earlier.

“This week, the national gas price will drop below $2/gallon for the first time in four years and it won”™t stop there as demand for gasoline diminishes as Americans stay home,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA direct of public relations. “Ten states already have averages at $1.75 or less.”

Casselano added there is an atypical amount of winter-blend gasoline supply still available, which has caused the Environmental Protection Agency to extend the sale of winter blend past the May 1 deadline to May 20.

“Delaying the switch-over to summer-blend gasoline will contribute to sustained lower prices as summer-blend is more expensive to produce,” Casselano said.