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Community Corner

Gas Prices Drop

Local average of $3.58

Local gas prices registered a four-cent decrease from this time last week, with Manchester and Lakehurst drivers now paying an average of $3.58 for a gallon regular.

The decrease comes on the heels of a poor performance by the Dow Jones Industrial Average this week, which saw stock prices tumble.  When stock prices fall commodity prices, such as the barrel of oil, typically fall as well.

Oil prices fell to less than $90 a barrel this week.

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Prices may not continue their downward trend, however, as a new jobs report released by the Labor Department shows that the U.S. created 117,000 jobs last month.  If investors view this news as a sign that the economy is improving, it could lead to an increase for the cost of a barrel of oil, since many investors view a healthy economy as leading to a higher demand for oil.

When the Manchester/Lakehurst area gas prices are compared to the national average, local drivers come out ahead, as the national average is $3.70 this week, according to AAA on Friday morning.

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Statewide, Garden State drivers are paying an average of $3.66 a gallon, according to AAA.

If you’re hitting the road this week don’t get stuck paying more than you have to.  Check out Patch’s weekly gas report to see which area station has the best rate.  All prices are as of mid-morning on Friday, Aug. 5.

  • – Route 37 and Commonwealth Boulevard, Manchester: $3.59 regular, $3.79 plus, $3.89 premium.
  •  – Route 37 and Route 70 circle, Lakehurst: $3.51 regular, $3.65 plus, $3.75 premium.
  • – Route 70 and Route 547 (Center Street), Lakehurst: $3.67 regular, $3.77 plus, $3.99 premium.
  • – Route 70 and Route 539, Manchester: $3.55 regular, $3.65 plus, $3.75 premium.
  • Jersey Gas – Route 530 and Station Road, Whiting: Cash: $3.53 regular, $3.65 plus, $3.75 premium. Credit: $3.59 regular, $3.69 plus, $3.79 premium.
  • Quick Chek – Route 70 and Route 571, Manchester: $3.59 regular, $3.73 plus, $3.83 premium.

As of press time, Jersey Gas is the only station charging a separate price for cash and credit. For figuring out the local average, Jersey Gas was calculated at $3.56, the average price for a gallon of regular purchased from Jersey Gas.

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