Northeast gasoline prices continued their slide toward a seasonal bottom last week, but with petroleum markets beginning to send mixed signals, the days of daily pump price declines may end in the near future.

Northeast gasoline inventories grew by a substantial 4 million barrels last week even amid strong demand and declining gasoline production as refiners try to improve margins, which have narrowed since September. At the same time, oil prices ended higher last week, snapping a seven-week stretch of declines on a weaker dollar and some market analysts revising upwards their demand estimates for next year.

Rhode Island’s average gas price is down nine cents from last week, averaging $3.14 per gallon. Tuesday’s price was 20 cents lower than a month ago, and 19 cents lower than Dec. 19, 2022 . Rhode Island’s average gas price is 6 cents higher than the national average.

“As New England average gasoline prices creep downward and closer to the national average, motorists could see prices below $3 per gallon at some stations if they shop around,” said AAA Northeast Senior Spokesperson Mark Schieldrop. “AAA is forecasting that roughly 104 million Americans will drive to their holiday destinations this year and they will be greeted with the gift of lower gas prices.”

AAA Northeast’s Dec. 19 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 5 cents lower than last week, averaging $3.08 a gallon. Tuesday’s national average price was 23 cents lower than a month ago and was 6 cents lower than this day last year.