Bay State gas prices continue to fall with the average gallon price down 3 cents from last week, as drivers pump their tanks for the busy holiday travel week. Meanwhile, the national average rose for the first time since September.
The average gas price in Massachusetts is now $3.23 a gallon, a drop from the average of $3.26 last week, according to AAA Northeast.
The $3.23 average is 17 cents lower than a month ago ($3.40), and 14 cents lower than last Dec. 26 ($3.37).
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“Last week, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline increased for the first time since September — an indication prices are starting to bump against seasonal lows,” said Mark Schieldrop, of AAA Northeast.
“Daily gas prices — both locally and nationwide — could move back and forth for the next month or so,” he added. “Looking back at pre-pandemic 2019, the national average did not make a firm turn to moving higher daily until Valentine’s Day, February 14.”
While the state’s average is down to $3.23 a gallon, Suffolk County’s average is higher as usual at $3.47 a gallon. That compares to $3.04 per gallon in Hampden County and $3.07 per gallon in Franklin County.
The lowest county gas averages in eastern Massachusetts are $3.08 a gallon in Bristol County and $3.14 a gallon in Plymouth County.
Massachusetts’ average price remains 11 cents higher than the national average of $3.12 per gallon.
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While the national average recently went up by 4 cents, there’s still hope that the average could fall below $3 a gallon in the weeks to come.
“After 13 straight weeks of decline, average gasoline prices have edged higher due to optimistic comments from the Fed on cutting interest rates in 2024, coupled with Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, boosting concerns of a disruption to global shipping, including oil shipments,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
“For now, the price of gasoline has already jumped but could ease slightly this week ahead of the New Year,” he added. “For now, I’m optimistic that we may still have a chance of seeing the first $2.99 national average since 2021 sometime before spring arrives.”
Oil prices have been holding relatively steady in the mid-$70 a barrel range on mixed news. Ongoing tensions in the vital Red Sea shipping corridor caused by militants attacking cargo ships has created upward pressure on oil prices.
Meanwhile, Angola announced it would be leaving OPEC — a sign of the Saudi-led cartel’s waning influence on global oil markets.
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According to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 150,000 gas stations across the country, the states with the lowest average prices are: Oklahoma ($2.60), Mississippi ($2.64), and Texas ($2.65).
The states with the highest average prices are: Hawaii ($4.61), California ($4.54), and Washington ($4.07).
Despite the national gas price average rising by four cents last week, Massachusetts’ average continued to fall. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
NORTH ATTLEBORO – Ocean State Job Lot announced this week it is taking over a third former Christmas Tree Shops location in Massachusetts and sixth overall in New England.
Ocean State Job Lot opening in North Attleboro
The Rhode Island-based discount retail chain will open its 53rd Massachusetts store in North Attleboro after buying the Cumberland Crossing shopping center. The store is scheduled to open sometime in the second quarter of 2025. Other shops at the plaza include a trampoline park, Guitar Center, Planet Fitness and David’s Bridal.
Ocean State Job Lots says its growth strategy includes a “repurposing of former retail sites.” Old Christmas Tree Shops stores in Avon and Pembroke, as well as locations in Augusta, Maine; St. Albans, Vermont and Warwick, Rhode Island have also turned into Ocean State Job Lots.
What’s happening to old Christmas Tree Shop stores?
The last Christmas Tree Shops stores closed more than a year ago, after the New England retailer declared bankruptcy and went out of business.
The once-popular chain known for its “Don’t you just love a bargain?” jingle began on Cape Cod 50 years ago. Not long before closures began, ownership decided to rebrand as “CTS” because some confused shoppers outside of New England thought the stores only sold Christmas trees.
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A former Christmas Tree Shops location in Dartmouth has been turned into a “Spirit Christmas” store for the holidays. Other Christmas Tree Shops have become furniture stores, supermarkets and potential real estate development opportunities.
Neal Riley
Neal J. Riley is a digital producer for CBS Boston. He has been with WBZ-TV since 2014. His work has appeared in The Boston Globe and The San Francisco Chronicle. Neal is a graduate of Boston University.
The girls’ hockey regular season tipped off last week. See our updated Top 20 poll, and our first Players of the Week.
Chloe Bryda, Bishop Feehan — In a 5-1 win over reigning Division 1 state champion St. Mary’s, the senior scored a hat trick to power the No. 13 Shamrocks.
Lucy Irwin, Central Catholic — The junior helped the Raiders to a 2-0-0 week with two goals and an assist in Thursday’s 4-2 win over Beverly/Danvers and a pair of tallies in Saturday’s 7-1 win over Cambridge.
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Talia Martucci, Winthrop — After finishing last season on 99 points, the Salem State-bound senior scored her 100th career point assisting the opening goal, then proceeded to score a hat trick to lead the No. 12 Vikings past Medford, 7-0, on Saturday.
Kelsey MacPherson, Hopkinton/Dover-Sherborn — The eighth-grader started her high school career with a thrilling week, notching her first goal and assist in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Norwood before tallying four goals and an assist in Monday’s 6-2 victory over Medway/Ashland.
Paige Nottingham, HPNA — The senior defender got involved plenty in No. 10 HPNA’s opener, providing a goal and three assists in a 7-0 takedown of Longmeadow.
Khloe Schultz, Sandwich ― The MVP of the Judy Gormley Cup, the junior supplied a goal and an assist in the No. 16 Blue Knights’ 10-1 opening round win over Barnstable before scoring a hat trick in the 6-3 win over NSA in the final Sunday as the Knights captured the first tournament crown of the new season.