Gas Prices Reverse Course, Start Rising Again

July 9, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

Gas prices are going up again, as the future of the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran remains uncertain. AAA reports that the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up 5 cents overnight to $3.84 after steadily dropping since late May. Crude oil prices are currently in the $70 per barrel range but could rise if volatility lingers along the Strait of Hormuz. Prices are still lower than they were in the spring when the national average peaked at $4.56 on May 21st.  The Delaware gas price average is $3.82 today, up 16 cents in the last week and 68 cents higher than one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $3.86 today, up 6 cents in the last week and up 81 cents compared to one year ago. The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station went up by one cent this past week to 42 cents, while in Delaware the average price per kWh remained at 38 cents. 

 

Additional Information from AAA:

In Pennsylvania, the gas average is $3.99 today, up 2 cents in the last week and up 70 cents from one year ago. The Philadelphia 5-county gas price average is $3.94 per gallon, up 3 cents from last week and up 70 cents from one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $3.86 today, up 6 cents in the last week and up 81 cents compared to one year ago. The Delaware gas price average is $3.82 today, up 16 cents in the last week and 68 cents higher than one year ago.

 

The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station went up by one cent this past week to 42 cents.

 

CURRENT AND PAST GAS PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline (*indicates record high)

 

07/09/26

Week Ago

Year Ago

National

$3.84

$3.83

$3.16

Pennsylvania

$3.99

$3.97

$3.29

Philadelphia

(5-county)

$3.94

$3.91

$3.24

South Jersey

$3.86

$3.80

$3.05

Delaware

$3.82

$3.66

$3.14

Crude Oil

$73.52 per barrel

(07/08/26)

$68.58 per barrel

(07/01/26)

$69.61 per barrel (07/09/25)

 

CURRENT EV COST AVERAGES

Per kWh of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station

 

07/09/26

Week Ago

National

$0.42

$0.41

Pennsylvania

$0.43

$0.43

Delaware

$0.38

$0.38

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 9.13 million b/d to 8.84 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 214 million barrels to 212.1 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.7 million barrels per day.

 

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose $3.08 to settle at $73.52 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories increased by 3 million barrels from the previous week. At 411.4 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.

 

The Weekend

“After weeks of declining prices at the pump, renewed conflict in the Middle East pushed crude oil prices higher this week and gas prices followed suit,” said Jana Tidwell, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “As the summer driving season heats up, drivers will undoubtedly be watching to see how high prices go and for how long.”

 

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

 

Posted in , , , , , ,