NMI fuel prices are highest

Fuel prices in the CNMI are now the highest across the nation, with all 50 states and the District of Columbia having average gallon rates below $3 except Hawaii.

The local average gallon prices are up to 70 cents higher than the national average and are even higher than those of New York and California, where average gas prices retail at less than $3 per gallon.

Based on the daily fuel gauge report by AAA, a nationwide group that regularly monitors price movements at the pump, the national average of unleaded gasoline’s prices in 50 states reached $2.503.

Saipan’s average rates for the same product were much higher—$3.199 and $3.049 at full- and self-serve rates respectively. Gas prices on Tinian and Rota are usually higher than Saipan rates.

Premium and diesel’s gallon rates averaged $2.754 and $2.652 in the nation. On Saipan, premium’s average rates for full- and self-serve rates reach $3.359 and $3.219, while diesel averaged at $3.239 at full-serve rate.

Gas prices in American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were not available.

AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report is updated each day and claims to be the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available. Everyday up to 85,000 gas stations are surveyed.

BELOW $3 A GALLON

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have average gas prices below $3 per gallon, except Hawaii. The average for premium and diesel in that Pacific state registered at $3.125 and $3.256, respectively.

Although the price of diesel in Hawaii was higher than that on Saipan, the state’s average gallon price for unleaded gasoline, however, remained below the $3-mark at $2.901.

Average gallon prices for regular, premium and diesel in New York were at $2.633, $2.877 and $2.894, respectively; in California, $2.699, $2.921 and $2.882; and in Alaska, $2.443, $2.733 and $2.574.

In Texas, yesterday’s average prices were $2.468, $2.705 and $2.582. Utah’s average prices were even lower for regular and premium at $2.307 and $2.539, respectively, while diesel averaged at $2.636.

RECENT HIKE

Gas retailers on Saipan increased gallon prices by up to 6 cents per gallon in the past few days. Mobil hiked gallon prices Monday following a similar move by Shell last Thursday.

Mobil now sells gasoline on Saipan by as much as $3.379 per gallon, particularly for its super unleaded product at full-serve rate. This product sells at $3.219 per gallon at self-serve rate. Mobil’s pump prices on Tinian and Rota are usually higher than Saipan rates.

Mobil’s unleaded gasoline at full- and self-serve gallon rates on Saipan now sells at $3.219 and $3.049, while diesel retails at $3.269 and $3.219.

Shell stations on Saipan now retail regular gasoline at $3.049 per gallon at self-serve rate. This used to sell at $2.989, at that time the only rate below $3 per gallon. At full-serve rate, the product costs $3.179 per gallon.

Shell’s premium gasoline retails at $3.339 and $3.219 per gallon at full- and self-serve rates. Shell’s diesel remains at $3.209 per gallon.