GasBuddy reveals gas prices have jumped nearly 35 cents per gallon compared to last year and will continue to rise
More opportunities for drivers to save big; GasBuddy’s first-of-its-kind fuel savings program “Pay with GasBuddy” gives drivers a discount on virtually every gallon of gas they will ever pump
BOSTON — GasBuddy, the only smartphone app connecting drivers with the Perfect Pit Stop, reveals that motorists in the Greater Boston Area will be paying an average of $387 for gas this spring, up nearly a quarter per gallon versus last year, adding up to an extra $50 in seasonal gasoline expenses for the average Boston driver.
The hikes are mainly due to higher oil prices and summer’s more expensive blend of gasoline, regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act, as well as refinery maintenance work lasting several months that causes gasoline production to drop, creating a pinch at the pump.
“While spring gas price hikes happen every year, this year’s especially pricey for Boston given we are not anywhere near the heavy demand driving season,” says Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. ”There is a high likelihood that gas prices will continue their upward trend, potentially reaching a peak of $2.85 a gallon in the Boston area by Memorial Day.”
GasBuddy’s analysis of Boston’s gas prices found that prices today are up 70 cents since 2016 and are continuing to rise, causing Massachusetts drivers to shell out even more for their gasoline.
| Year | Average Spring Gas Prices |
| 2016 | $2.07 |
| 2017 | $2.32 |
| 2018 (projected) | $2.75 |
Not only are Bostonians paying more for gas this spring, but they can also overpay if they don’t shop around. The average price spread in the Boston area, otherwise known as the difference between the lowest and highest priced gas stations, is an average of 40 cents per gallon.
”Motorists who don’t pay attention to the price spread are going to pay over $430 for gas this spring, while smart shoppers who do their research before they leave the house have a major savings opportunity,” says DeHaan.
In GasBuddy’s previous price spread study in 2017, Boston was ranked #9 on the list of cities with the highest gas price spreads in the United States.
“With gas prices rising this spring and with the spread near record levels, it’s crucial for motorists to shop smart to avoid flushing money down the toilet,” says DeHaan. “Programs like Pay with GasBuddy are free to join and allow motorists to save at least 5c/gal on every fill-up no matter what station they choose. Couple these savings with shopping around and Bostonians have the tools to push back at the pump.”
Methodology
GasBuddy examined gas price data in the Great Boston Area from the GasBuddy app over the past three years from March, 2016 to March 2018.
About GasBuddy
GasBuddy is a smartphone app connecting drivers with their Perfect Pit Stop. GasBuddy is the leader in crowdsourced information to help drivers find the best gas prices, closest stations, friendliest service, cleanest restrooms, tastiest coffee and much more. GasBuddy is the leading source for the most accurate, real-time fuel prices at more than 140,000 gas stations in the U.S., Canada and Australia. The Company’s B2B Retailer Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), known as GasBuddy Business Pages, provides Fuel Marketers and Retailers their best opportunity to maintain their station information, manage their brand, and promote to their target consumer audience. For more information, visit www.gasbuddy.com or email [email protected].