MA Gas Price Decline Slows Amid Omicron Fears

Gas prices across the country have wavered, but haven't had much of a downward trend lately, and several factors are keeping prices from significantly dropping. The Massachusetts average gas price is down a penny from last week, however. The average price at the pump for regular unleaded gas is $3.38 per gallon.

We are down a penny, but still much higher than the national average...

According to AAA Northeast, the price of a gallon of gas in the state is actually 4 cents lower than last month at this time, but $1.19 higher than it was at this time last year. The price is also currently 10 cents higher than the national average.

Omicron is not only wreaking havoc on the country's health...

Gasoline prices fluctuated over the past few days as fears of an omicron-driven economic slowdown were countered by news of a severe fire at a major oil refinery in Texas... As a result, the recent steady decline in pump prices has slowed, with the national average for a gallon of gas falling two cents on the week to $3.28. ~ Mary Maguire, Director of Public/Government Affairs

What are we paying in the Berkshires, and more specifically in Pittsfield?

The AAA website lists the average prices in the metro areas of all states, including Massachusetts. You can see the list HERE. Pittsfield is the one local city that is listed. According to AAA, the average Pittsfield price for regular gas is $3.38 per gallon. Mid-grade gasoline is currently at $3.64 per gallon, and if you put premium gas in your tank in Pittsfield, you will be paying nearly $3.90 per gallon.

LOOK: See how much gasoline cost the year you started driving

To find out more about how has the price of gas changed throughout the years, Stacker ran the numbers on the cost of a gallon of gasoline for each of the last 84 years. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (released in April 2020), we analyzed the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline from 1976 to 2020 along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for unleaded regular gasoline from 1937 to 1976, including the absolute and inflation-adjusted prices for each year.

Read on to explore the cost of gas over time and rediscover just how much a gallon was when you first started driving.

See the Must-Drive Roads in Every State

LOOK: Route 66’s quirkiest and most wonderful attractions state by state

Stacker compiled a list of 50 attractions--state by state--to see along the drive, drawing on information from historic sites, news stories, Roadside America, and the National Park Service. Keep reading to discover where travelers can get their kicks on Route 66.