Seasonal Rise in Gas Prices Underway

February 26, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

We are still several weeks away from the start of spring, but the seasonal rise in gas prices is already underway. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up by more than 5 cents this past week to $2.98 a gallon, according to AAA. Gas demand is also expected to increase next month as spring break season kicks off and more drivers take road trips. The Delaware gas price average is $2.94 today, up 8 cents in the last week and 3 cents higher than one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $2.88 today, down a penny in the last week and down 11 cents compared to one year ago. At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell 21 cents to settle at $65.42 a barrel. Meanwhile, the national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station rose to 39 cents–up one cent from a week ago. In Delaware, the average per kilowatt hour of electricity came down one cent in the last week to 33 cents. 
 
Additional Information from AAA:

In Pennsylvania, the gas average is $3.12 today, up 2 cents in the last week and down 22 cents from one year ago. The Philadelphia 5-county gas price average is $3.02 per gallon, down a penny from last week and down 16 cents from one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $2.88 today, down a penny in the last week and down 11 cents compared to one year ago. The Delaware gas price average is $2.94 today, up 8 cents in the last week and 3 cents higher than one year ago.

 

The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station rose to 39 cents.

 

CURRENT AND PAST GAS PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline (*indicates record high)

 

02/26/26

Week Ago

Year Ago

National

$2.98

$2.92

$3.13

Pennsylvania

$3.12

$3.10

$3.34

Philadelphia

(5-county)

$3.02

$3.03

$3.18

South Jersey

$2.88

$2.89

$2.99

Delaware

$2.94

$2.86

$2.91

Crude Oil

$65.42 per barrel

(02/25/26)

$66.43 per barrel

(02/19/26)

$68.62 per barrel (02/26/25)

 

CURRENT EV COST AVERAGES

Per kWh of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station

 

02/26/26

Week Ago

National

$0.39

$0.38

Pennsylvania

$0.39

$0.39

Delaware

$0.33

$0.34

 

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.74 million b/d to 8.73 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 255.8 million barrels to 254.8 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.2 million barrels per day.

 

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell 21 cents to settle at $65.42 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 16 million barrels from the previous week. At 435.8 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year.

 

The Weekend

“Gas prices in the region are holding relatively steady around $3 per gallon, with slight week-to-week fluctuations showing modest downward movement recently,” said Jana Tidwerll, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “While pump prices remain lower than a year ago, seasonal switchover factors and ongoing shifts in fuel demand could influence upward pressure in the weeks ahead.”

 

AAA has a variety of resources to help motorists save on fuel:

 

 
 
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