Buckle up – northeast gas prices are about to hit a bump in the road.

Gasoline prices, already on a seasonal upward trajectory, could spike by double digits this week once the switch to summer blend fuel officially occurs. Summer blend fuel, which helps reduce particulate emissions in warmer weather, is more costly to produce than its winter counterpart. An indication of what to expect: summer blend is currently trading at a 30-cent premium compared to winter blend in New York Harbor—one of the major trading ports that services the northeast.

The average gas price in Rhode Island is up 5 cents from last week ($3.33), averaging $3.38 per gallon. Today’s price is 20 cents higher than a month ago ($3.18), and 3 cents lower than April 15, 2023 ($3.41). Rhode Island’s average gas price is 25 cents lower than the national average.

“Oil prices took a slight breather last week, falling by about one percent, but it could just be a rest stop on the way to higher prices,” said Jillian Young, Director of Public Relations, AAA Northeast. “Escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and expectations for strong seasonal gasoline demand could move markets higher.”

AAA Northeast’s April 15 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be up four cents from last week ($3.59), averaging $3.63 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 20 cents higher than a month ago ($3.43), and three cents lower than this day last year ($3.66).