NJ Gas Prices On Rise: How Much Does Your Area Pay Now?

Six percent may not seem like a big gas price hike. But it happened in just the past few weeks – and it was in New Jersey, where gas is supposed to be cheaper than everwhere else.

Well, not anymore. Indeed, most of New Jersey is suffering from rising gas prices that should just get worse as the region gets closer to summer (see list of towns and areas below).

New Jersey's average price for regular gasoline rose from $2.32 per gallon in February to $2.52 per gallon this month, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. That's higher than the national average of $2.48.

New Jersey's former status as the cheapest gas retailing state in the nation was erased a couple years ago when lawmakers approved a 23-cent gas hike to pay for road improvements.

Now other factors have come in to play – and the prices are not just rising because of increasing demand, according to AAA.

Tracy E. Noble, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said that as the winter weather turns to spring in the coming weeks, motorists can expect pump prices to continue rising as a result of increased demand.

But diminishing gasoline stocks are also a factor, too, she said. And the volatile stockmarket has not helped matters since the industry has tried to make up for revenue losses.

"Other factors – including continued refinery maintenance and the nationwide switchover to summer blend gasoline by May 1 – could also cause an increase in gasoline prices,” she said.

Locally, prices have increased between 10 and 20 cents since the beginning of the year and are closing the gap on last year’s price, she said. The national gas price average has increased nearly 20 cents since the beginning of the year, which is the largest jump during the January-February timeframe since 2015.

Last year, the national gas average topped out at $2.96, 50 cents more than this week's national average, Noble said.

Here were the 10 gas stations with the cheapest prices in New Jersey on Monday, and where they're located, according to GasBuddy.com, a website that tracks local fuel prices:

• #1 (tie): $2.23 at Gulf, 551 River Dr & Chamberlain Ave, Elmwood Park
• #1 (tie): $2.23 at Delta, 353 River Dr & Washington Ave, Elmwood Park
• #3: $2.25 at Costco, 21 Goldsborough Dr & Route 440, Bayonne
• #4 (tie): $2.27 at Delta, 102 Main St & Old Stage Rd, East Brunswick
• #4 (tie): $2.27 at Conoco, 419 US 1-9 South near Grove St., Elizabeth
• #4 (tie): $2.27 at Conoco, 741 E Edgar Rd near Willow Glade Rd., Linden
• #7 (tie): $2.29 at Costco, 1055 Hudson St & W Chestnut St., Union
• #7 (tie): $2.29 at Delta, 845 Summer St & Bayway Circle, Elizabeth
• #7 (tie): $2.29 at QuickChek, 1001 US 1 near Avenel St., Woodbridge
• #7 (tie): $2.29 at 1215 St Georges Ave & Colonia Pl., Colonia

AAA also supplied Patch with the average gas prices in each area of New Jersey, showing how much they've risen in recent weeks: