Rising Pump Prices, Higher Gas Demand as Spring Break Begins

March 12, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

Spring Break season is here as the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped nearly 35 cents since last week. according to the latest report from AAA. Current prices are similar to the spring of 2024. Gasoline demand increases this time of year as the weather warms up and more drivers hit the road. Crude oil prices play a major role in what drivers pay at the pump, and prices have surpassed the $100/barrel mark multiple times in recent days. To help offset rising prices, the U.S. announced it will release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves over four months. The move is part of a broader effort by the International Energy Agency to release a total of 400 million barrels of oil, the largest emergency release in its history. At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose $3.80 to settle at $87.25 a barrel.  Meanwhile, regional gas prices are also up significantly. The Delaware gas price average is $3.38 today, up 23 cents in the last week and 58 cents higher than one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $3.50 today, up 40 cents in the last week and up 61 cents compared to one year ago. The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station went up by 2 cents this past week to 41 cents, and Delaware’s average is also up 2 cents since last week to 36 cents.

 

Additional Information from AAA:

In Pennsylvania, the gas average is $3.66 today, up 31 cents in the last week and up 42 cents from one year ago. The Philadelphia 5-county gas price average is $3.62 per gallon, up 40 cents from last week and up 51 cents from one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $3.50 today, up 40 cents in the last week and up 61 cents compared to one year ago. The Delaware gas price average is $3.38 today, up 23 cents in the last week and 58 cents higher than one year ago.

 

The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station went up by 2 cents this past week to 41 cents.

 

CURRENT AND PAST GAS PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline (*indicates record high)

 

03/12/26

Week Ago

Year Ago

National

$3.59

$3.25

$3.08

Pennsylvania

$3.66

$3.35

$3.24

Philadelphia

(5-county)

$3.62

$3.22

$3.11

South Jersey

$3.50

$3.10

$2.89

Delaware

$3.38

$3.15

$2.80

Crude Oil

$87.25 per barrel

(03/11/26)

$81.01 per barrel

(03/05/26)

$67.68 per barrel (03/12/25)

 

CURRENT EV COST AVERAGES

Per kWh of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station

 

03/12/26

Week Ago

National

$0.41

$0.39

Pennsylvania

$0.43

$0.38

Delaware

$0.36

$0.34

 

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.29 million b/d to 9.24 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 253.1 million barrels to 249.5 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.9 million barrels per day.

 

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose $3.80 to settle at $87.25 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 3.8 million barrels from the previous week. At 443.1 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 2% below the five-year average for this time of year.

 

The Weekend

“Drivers across the region are seeing a significant spike at the pump this week, with gas prices jumping 30-40 cents in just seven days,” said Jana Tidwell, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “That’s a noticeable hit for motorists who had been enjoying relatively stable prices. The sharp and sudden increase reflects the upward shift in oil prices and increased seasonal demand, drivers should be prepared for continued volatility as we head into the spring driving season.”

 

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

 

 

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