AAA: Little Relief for Drivers as National Gas Price Average Rises Again Following Brief Period of Declines

May 14, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

After five straight days of declines earlier this week, the national average is once again on its way back up. AAA reports that today’s national average is a couple cents lower than last week, but with crude oil prices hovering in the $100/barrel range, pump prices remain elevated. As Memorial Day approaches, drivers will be facing the highest gas prices in four years. The Delaware gas price average is $4.35 today, unchanged in the last week and $1.3 higher than one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $4.493 today, down 5 cents in the last week and up $1.55 compared to one year ago. The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station remained the same at 41 cents and in Delaware–unchanged at 37 cents. 

 

Additional Information from AAA:

 

In Pennsylvania, the gas average is $4.65 today, down 4 cents in the last week and up $1.37 from one year ago. The Philadelphia 5-county gas price average is $4.61per gallon, down 5 cents from last week and up $1.48 from one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $4.493 today, down 5 cents in the last week and up $1.55 compared to one year ago. The Delaware gas price average is $4.35 today, unchanged in the last week and $1.3 higher than one year ago.

 

The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station remained the same at 41 cents.

 

CURRENT AND PAST GAS PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline (*indicates record high)

 

05/14/26

Week Ago

Year Ago

National

$4.53

$4.55

$3.18

Pennsylvania

$4.65

$4.69

$3.28

Philadelphia

(5-county)

$4.61

$4.66

$3.13

South Jersey

$4.49

$4.54

$2.94

Delaware

$4.35

$4.35

$3.02

Crude Oil

$101.02 per barrel

(05/13/26)

$94.81 per barrel

(05/07/26)

$63.15 per barrel (05/14/25)

 

CURRENT EV COST AVERAGES

Per kWh of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station

 

05/14/26

Week Ago

National

$0.41

$0.41

Pennsylvania

$0.43

$0.43

Delaware

$0.37

$0.37

 

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.81 million b/d to 8.75 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 219.8 million barrels to 215.7 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels per day. 

 

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell $1.16 to settle at $101.02 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories decreased by 4.3 million barrels from the previous week. At 452.9 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 0.3% below the five-year average for this time of year. 

 

The Weekend

“Pennsylvania drivers are heading into the Memorial Day travel period facing the highest gas prices for the holiday weekend in four years,” said Jana Tidwell, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance.“With crude oil climbing back above $100 per barrel, upward pressure on pump prices continues to build at a time when seasonal demand is also increasing. While many motorists are eager to kick off the summer driving season, they should also be prepared for higher fuel costs throughout the holiday period.”

 

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

 

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