National Gas Price Average up 27 Cents, Delaware’s Average Up 21 Cents in in the Last Week

March 5, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped nearly 27 cents since last week to $3.25, according to AAA. The conflict in the Middle East has sent crude oil prices higher to the mid $70 per barrel range. At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose 10 cents to settle at $74.66 a barrel, up 14% from the previous week. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 3.5 million barrels from the previous week. In the region, the Delaware gas price average is $3.15 today, up 21 cents in the last week and 28 cents higher than one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $3.10 today, up 22 cents in the last week and up 15 cents compared to one year ago. The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station remains at 39 cents and up one cent in Delaware in the last week to 34 cents. 

 

Additional Information from AAA:

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped nearly 27 cents since last week to $3.25. The conflict in the Middle East has sent crude oil prices higher to the mid $70 per barrel range. The recent increase puts the national average at the same price as it was in early April of 2025. Springtime typically sees higher gas prices as gasoline demand rises and summer-blend gasoline pro-duction begins. The last time the national average made a similar weekly jump was back in March of 2022 during the start of the Russia/Ukraine conflict.

 

In Pennsylvania, the gas average is $3.35 today, up 27 cents in the last week and up 15 cents from one year ago. The Philadelphia 5-county gas price average is $3.22 per gallon, up 20 cents from last week and up 8 cents from one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $3.10 today, up 22 cents in the last week and up 15 cents compared to one year ago. The Delaware gas price average is $3.15 today, up 21 cents in the last week and 28 cents higher than one year ago.

 

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

 

CURRENT AND PAST GAS PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline (*indicates record high)

 

03/05/26

Week Ago

Year Ago

National

$3.25

$2.98

$3.10

Pennsylvania

$3.35

$3.12

$3.29

Philadelphia

(5-county)

$3.22

$3.02

$3.14

South Jersey

$3.10

$2.88

$2.95

Delaware

$3.15

$2.94

$2.87

Crude Oil

$74.66 per barrel

(03/04/26)

$65.42 per barrel

(02/25/26)

$66.62 per barrel (03/06/25)

 

CURRENT EV COST AVERAGES

Per kWh of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station

 

03/04/26

Week Ago

National

$0.39

$0.39

Pennsylvania

$0.38

$0.39

Delaware

$0.34

$0.33

 

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.73 million b/d to 8.29 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 254.8 million barrels to 253.1 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.3 million barrels per day.

 

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose 10 cents to settle at $74.66 a barrel, up 14% from the previous week. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 3.5 million barrels from the previous week. At 439.3 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year.

 

The Weekend

“Drivers have undoubtedly noticed a spike in prices at the pump this week,” said Jana Tidwell, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “Crude oil prices are rising due to the conflict in the Middle East, putting upward pressure on gas prices. A gallon of gasoline is made up of 50% to 60% crude oil. So as crude oil prices rise, gas prices will follow suit. In addition, this time of year demand increases and refineries begin the switchover to summer-blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce.”

 

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

 

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