PORTLAND, Maine — Gas prices in Maine dropped about 7.4 cents in the past week, falling below the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline, which was unchanged at $2.42.
The latest dip brings the statewide average for Maine ot $2.37, which is $1.24 lower than one year ago, according to the gas price tracking website GasBuddy. The American Automobile Association’s daily state-level gas price report put Maine’s statewide average slightly higher at $2.39.
Patrick DeHaan, a senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy, said in a news release that gas price trends “are all over the place” in different parts of the country. A strike at California refineries neared a close with a tentative deal announced in early March.
Those tensions come as crude oil reserves neared record levels at the beginning of the month, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The slight dip in prices in Maine also comes as refineries continue to shift to production of the more costly and lower-emission summer blend fuels.
“The coming week shows nothing guaranteed but uncertainty, as refiners begin finishing maintenance season, boosting production, and beginning to draw down on oil inventories that are setting records,” DeHaan said. “This recipe will likely bring the lowest summer gasoline prices since 2010, but the short term outlook may vary based on region.”
According to GasBuddy, the lowest price in the state Monday was $2.16 per gallon at an Irving location in Wells.