Gas Price Update For October 31, 2016

Gas price trend for week of October 31, 2016

Fort Lauderdale, FL – The price of gas continued its downward slide this week, but unlike the previous two weeks, the current trend was felt more broadly across the United States. The Energy Information Administration reports the price of gas fell just over a penny per gallon, while the cost of fuel in many regions fell two or three cents per gallon. A rise in prices across the West Coast and, in particular, California, kept the national average in check. The U.S. average price for a gallon of regular unleaded now stands at $2.23.

The cost of diesel pushed upward this week. The national average remained the same, at $2.48 per gallon. Prices did go down slightly across the Rocky Mountains and the Midwest, according to the E.I.A.

Regional cost averages for both gasoline and diesel are listed below, ranked from highest to lowest price.

Regional Gasoline Averages:

$2.697: PADD 5 WEST COAST (INCL. CA)
$2.478: PADD 5 WEST COAST (W/O CA)
$2.293: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.271: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.248: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.219: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.172: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.075: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.042: PADD 3 GULF COAST

Regional Diesel Averages:

$2.766: PADD 5 WEST COAST
$2.583: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.541: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.502: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.475: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.443: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.388: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.353: PADD 3 GULF COAST

Note: PADD is an acronym for Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts.

Gas Price Update For Week Of October 24, 2016

Gas price trend for week of October 24, 2016

Fort Lauderdale, FL – The price of gas continued slipping downward this week, but only just. Last week’s dramatic price declines across the Midwest continued into this week, according to the latest weekly release from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That decline, along with more moderate price dips across the Lower Atlantic, pushed the national average gas price down about 1.4 cents this week. For most drivers, however, the price of gas actually went up. The U.S. average is now $2.24, according to the E.I.A.

The cost of diesel moderated this week, after a stiff increase last week. The national average remained the same, at $2.48 per gallon, though prices went up in New England and down across the Lower Atlantic.

Regional cost averages for both gasoline and diesel are listed below, ranked from highest to lowest price.

Regional Gasoline Averages:

$2.680: PADD 5 WEST COAST (INCL. CA)
$2.476: PADD 5 WEST COAST (W/O CA)
$2.286: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.274: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.248: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.232: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.196: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.107: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.056: PADD 3 GULF COAST

Regional Diesel Averages:

$2.747: PADD 5 WEST COAST
$2.581: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.550: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.485: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.468: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.451: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.378: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.353: PADD 3 GULF COAST

Note: PADD is an acronym for Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts.

Gas Price Update For October 17, 2016

Gas price trend for week of October 17, 2016

Fort Lauderdale, FL – The price of gas finally tipped downward this week, but only just. A drastic price decline in the Midwest served to distort prices in a week where most drivers actually saw price increases. The cost of fuel, nationwide, dropped about a penny and a half to settle at $2.26, according to the weekly fuel price survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The E.I.A. report shows a near-seven cent decline in prices across the Midwest is largely responsible for the pull on the national average. Elsewhere, prices were either flat or up about a penny. Prices across the Rocky Mountain states were up nearly three cents.
The cost of diesel went up strongly on the week, putting more pressure on haulers.

The weekly E.I.A. price survey shows diesel shot up almost four cents per gallon this week, and now sits at $2.48. That is a nearly ten cent increase in just two weeks.

Regional cost averages for both gasoline and diesel are listed below, ranked from highest to lowest price.

Regional Gasoline Averages:

$2.679: PADD 5 WEST COAST (INCL. CA)
$2.461: PADD 5 WEST COAST (W/O CA)
$2.269: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.263: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.247: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.237: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.216: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.155: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.043: PADD 3 GULF COAST

Regional Diesel Averages:

$2.742: PADD 5 WEST COAST
$2.579: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.546: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.477: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.472: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.458: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.389: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.357: PADD 3 GULF COAST

Note: PADD is an acronym for Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts.

Bayonne Bridge Closures Impact Day and Night Traffic

Bridge Only To Open For Rush Hour Traffic

Bayonne BridgeThe Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will close the Bayonne Bridge to all traffic this morning at 9 a.m., and will reopen the span at 3 p.m. this afternoon. The bridge will close again at 7 p.m. this evening, and it will remain closed until 5 a.m. tomorrow. Identical closures will impact traffic on Thursday.

The daytime closure will also be in place Friday, the Port Authority announced, but the overnight closure will not be in effect Friday night.

In brief, the closures are as follows:

  • Wednesday, October 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and again from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. Thursday
  • Thursday, October 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and again from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. Friday
  • Friday, October 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All traffic will be diverted to the Goethals Bridge during the closures.

Lower-Level GWB Closures Start Tonight

Closures To Impact Eastbound And Westbound Lanes

George Washington BridgeConstruction on the George Washington Bridge, at and near the GWB Bus Station, will force the overnight closures of all eastbound lanes of the GWB from October 12 through October 14, 2016, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced. Westbound lanes will also be affected, and through October 15. However, some traffic leaving New York will be permitted on the lower levels.

The eastbound closures begin at 9 p.m. tonight and Thursday, and will be lifted by 5 a.m. The Friday night closures will begin at 10 p.m. and be lifted Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Moreover, the Friday night closure will include the eastbound lower expressway, the Port Authority announced on its website. The expressway will close at midnight Friday and reopen Saturday morning at 5 a.m.

Officials also announced lane restrictions on the eastbound lower-level exit to Hudson Parkway (Route 9A) and Riverside Drive, but the exit will be open.
The westbound lower expressway lanes will also be impacted; however, some lanes will remain open during overnight construction work. Westbound lane restrictions Wednesday and Thursday night will begin at 10 p.m. and end the following morning at 5. The Friday and Saturday night restrictions will be in effect from midnight to 8 a.m. the following day.

The Port Authority is already warning of significant delays as a result of the restrictions.

A breakdown of the closures is shown below.
East
 

Eastbound

GWB Lower level, full closures:

  • Wednesday, October 12, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thu.
  • Thursday, October 13, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Fri.
  • Friday, October 14, from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. Sat.

GWB Lower expressway, full closures:

  • Friday, October 14, from 11:59 p.m. until  5 a.m. Sat.

GWB Lower level exit restrictions:

Exit 1 to Hudson Parkway

  • Thursday, October 14, from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. Fri.
  • Firday, October 15, from 11:59 p.m. until 8 a.m. Sat.

West

Westbound

GWB Lower level, lane restrictions:

Two lanes closed westbound.

  • Wednesday, October 12, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thu.
  • Thursday, October 13, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Fri.
  • Friday, October 14, from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. Sat.
  • Saturday, October 15, from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. Sun.

Gas Price Update For October 10, 2016

Gas price trend for week of October 10, 2016

Fort Lauderdale, FL – The price of gas notched upward, once again, across the East Coast and through the Lower Atlantic states during the past week, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas is now $2.27, according to the E.I.A., up approximately three cents over last week. That figure is skewed slightly due to rounding over the past two weeks.

The cost of diesel also went up this week, but in far greater measure, to the dismay of truckers. The weekly E.I.A. price survey shows diesel shot up nearly six cents per gallon this week, but as much as seven cents per gallon across the Gulf Coast and West Coast. The average diesel price, per gallon, is now $2.45, up from $2.39 last week.

Regional cost averages for both gasoline and diesel are listed below, ranked from highest to lowest price.

Regional Gasoline Averages:

$2.675: PADD 5 WEST COAST (INCL. CA)
$2.459: PADD 5 WEST COAST (W/O CA)
$2.256: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.249: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.244: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.229: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.221: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.204: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.038: PADD 3 GULF COAST

Regional Diesel Averages:

$2.712: PADD 5 WEST COAST
$2.540: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.508: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.453: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.441: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.417: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.363: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.317: PADD 3 GULF COAST

Note: PADD is an acronym for Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts.

Editor's note: This page has been corrected to restate the cost of PADD 5 WEST COAST (INCL. CA). The original report erroneously stated the price as $2.679. This has been corrected to $2.675.

Service Plazas Opened On Florida's Turnpike

Gas Stations Operational And Food Available

Tolls Remain Suspended Until At Least 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 9

The service plazas on Florida’s Turnpike are all operational in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, according to a staff member at the Turkey Lake service plaza. The plazas had been closed as the storm roiled offshore Thursday and Friday, sending wave upon wave of feeder bands across the peninusla. The Florida Department of Transportation, under orders from the governor’s office, had closed all plazas in order to protect staff.

The plazas began reopening in South Florida Friday afternoon, and all are now operational, with the threat of Matthew now passed.
Meanwhile, tolls remain suspended across Florida’s Turnpike and other regional toll facilities, including Orlando’s toll roads and those in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. While the free ride may be saving money, traffic congestion is occasionally up at some toll plazas, where officials are directing traffic into just a few lanes. The governor’s office released a statement late Sunday afternoon stating tolls would remain suspended until at least 11:59 p.m.

Sunday, October 9. However, regional tolling agencies were reviewing their toll status on a county by county basis.

Leesburg Toll Plaza
A southbound view of the Leesburg toll plaza on October 9, 2016, as drivers are pushed to the left-most lanes to accommodate toll suspensions. It was unclear Sunday when tolls would be reinstated on the Florida’s Turnpike. Image from Florida Department of Transportation.

Elsewhere, officials will be examining constructions sites in the coming days on Florida’s Turnpike and other regional toll roads to determine whether it is safe to resume maintenance and new construction operations. When that process is complete, construction restrictions will resume.

Editor's note: This story was updated at 4:50 p.m. to include the governor's office's latest statement on the status of tolls on Florida's Turnpike.

Tolls Remain Suspended On Florida's Turnpike

Governor Surveys Damage From Hurricane Matthew

No Statement Issued About Service Plazas Reopening As Gas Supplies Disrupted

Governor Rick Scott presser in Volusia County
Governor Rick Scott briefs media this morning in Volusia County.

Tolls remain suspended this afternoon on Florida’s Turnpike and other regional toll roads, including those in metropolitan Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The service plazas on the turnpike remain closed in the most heavily-damaged areas, with only South Florida’s service plazas operational late Saturday afternoon.

As Hurricane Matthew weakens off the coast of the Carolinas, it remains unclear how quickly service plazas will reopen. This could be trouble for drivers who normally depend upon the fuel and other services provided at plazas. Fuel supplies at retail locations at various exits are likely to suffer some, as ports across the northeastern coast have been shut down due to Matthew.

The governor’s office, in its regular written afternoon briefing, said those ports are beginning to reopen. The governor’s office also assured residents and tourists officials were closely monitoring supply chain and distribution channels. “The state is monitoring for supply, distribution or retail fuel shortages or issues, specifically for isolated incidents of individual retailers experiencing temporary fuel shortages,” the governor’s press office wrote. “These individual retailers are being quickly refueled, and fuel is readily available across Florida.”

Officials at the Florida Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to requests for further information about the service plazas or tolling.

Florida Governor Tours Cities Ravaged By Matthew

Tolls Remain Suspended On Florida Toll Roads, Including Florida’s Turnpike

Some Service Plazas Reopened In South Florida

Florida Governor Rick Scott tours Cocoa after Hurricane Matthew
Florida Governor Rick Scott is accompanied by local and state law enforcement and national guard troops as he tours Cocoa, one of the towns impacted by Hurricane Matthew’s tango with Florida’s east coast.

Florida Governor Rick Scott toured storm-ravaged cities and counties in Florida this afternoon as the damage assessments following Hurricane Matthew’s visit to the state began in earnest. The governor met by telephone with mayors of dozens of cities this morning and again this afternoon, also paying personal visits to coastal communities, including the town of Cocoa, which is at the eastern terminus of the Beachline Expressway.

Tolls on the Beachline Expressway and all other regional toll roads, as well as Florida’s Turnpike, remain suspended this evening, the governor’s office announced in a statement released early Friday night. Some county tolling facilities may reinstate tolls as early as Saturday as officials examine the potential for putting toll workers back on the road. “All toll suspensions remain in effect and will remain suspended for at least 24 hours,” the statement read. “After the storm passes, county DOT officials will review this on a case by case basis.”

Meanwhile, three service plazas on the Florida’s Turnpike reopened in South Florida earlier in the day Friday, after conditions borne of the monster hurricane had largely passed from the region. Engineering assessments determined none of the buildings had suffered any structural damage that could be potentially harmful or life-threatening. All services plazas from West Palm Beach and south were open Friday night. Service plazas north of West Palm Beach remain closed, including two in the metro Orlando area, the Canoe Creek and Turkey Lake plazas.

Hurricane Matthew forecast track 2016-10-07 8PM EDT

As for Hurricane Matthew, itself, the storm has been downgraded to a powerful category 2 system, which is sending strong storm surges and high winds across the very northeastern edge of Florida and across coastal Georgia. The storm is expected to turn east into the Atlantic over the weekend, then turn south once more to head toward the Bahamas for a second time.

Geothals Bridge Closing Friday Night, October 7

Goethals BridgeThe Goethals Bridge between New Jersey and Staten Island will be closing tonight at 10 p.m., the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced. The closure begins Friday night, October 7, at 10 p.m. and continues through Saturday morning, to 8 a.m.

Officials have opened the Bayonne Bridge for the duration of the Columbus Day weekend, and the Outerbridge Crossing, to the south, is an alternate route.