AAA: Gas Prices Dip Slightly, Offering Modest Relief to Drivers

April 16, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

Drivers are getting a break at the pumps with the slight decrease in gas prices over the last several days. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline decreased 7 cents over the past week to $4.09. After last week’s announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, the price for a barrel of crude oil has continued to trade below $100.  However, maritime traffic transiting the Strait of Hormuz remains subdued as regional tensions persist and negotiations continue. The Delaware gas price average is $3.95 today, down 10 cents in the last week and 92 cents higher than one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $3.95 today, down 2 cents in the last week and up 99 cents compared to one year ago. At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose 0.01 cent to settle at $91.29 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories decreased by 0.9 million barrels from the previous week.

Additional Information from AAA:

The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 41 cents.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.56 million b/d to 9.08 million. Total domestic gasoline supply dropped from 239.3 million barrels to 232.9 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels per day.

 

CURRENT AND PAST GAS PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline (*indicates record high)

 

04/16/26

Week Ago

Year Ago

National

$4.09

$4.16

$3.16

Pennsylvania

$4.12

$4.19

$3.36

Philadelphia

(5-county)

$4.08

$4.15

$3.16

South Jersey

$3.95

$4.07

$2.96

Delaware

$3.95

$4.05

$3.03

Crude Oil

$91.29 per barrel

(04/15/26)

$94.41 per barrel

(04/08/26)

$62.88 per barrel (04/16/25)

 

CURRENT EV COST AVERAGES

Per kWh of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station

 

04/16/26

Week Ago

National

$0.41

$0.41

Pennsylvania

$0.43

$0.43

Delaware

$0.37

$0.36

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose 0.01 cent to settle at $91.29 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories decreased by 0.9 million barrels from the previous week. At 463.8 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 1% above the five-year average for this time of year.

 

The Weekend

“Drivers are seeing some relief at the pump, however gas price could remain volatile in the weeks ahead,” said Jana Tidwell, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “Crude oil prices fell sharply this week amid optimism surrounding a U.S.-Iran ceasefire, easing fears of major supply disruptions. But it’s unclear how long this downward trend will last as continued uncertainty surrounding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could push crude oil, and subsequently gas prices, higher again.”

 

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

 

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