CT folks travel to Ocean State for gas

STONINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) - Right now the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.91, up two cents from yesterday.

In Connecticut the average is $4.20 a gallon.

The high gas prices in the state has people living along Connecticut's border traveling to Rhode Island for cheaper gas.

The price difference is significant. Compared to a nearby Connecticut station, a station in Westerly Rhode Island is 23 cents cheaper and offers a twenty cents savings. It's enough to get Conor Gleason to cross the state line for fill ups.

"It's definitely cheaper than my town I know, I was at the gas station in my town today and I went by and it was $4.25, so it's saving a quarter over here, so it gives me another reason to come," says Gleason of North Stonington.

Because of company policy, gas stations on each side of the border would not talk to News 8 on camera, but customers say there are long lines as more and more people head to the Ocean State for cheaper gas. Still they may not be able to escape the higher cost completely.

"Pretty much everything we get is shipped by diesel truck and that affects food, all goods," says Mike Constantine of Schwan's Driver .

Constantine says it may be a gas tax, but it affects a lot more and may not be as effective as Connecticut lawmakers would like.

"People go to Rhode Island to get their gas, so are you really helping your tax income," says Constantine.

While some Rhode Island gas stations have the luxury of being on a very busy road with a lot of out of towners and beach goers, Connecticut stations along the border are being passed by.