Gas prices jump in July

Gasoline prices in the Norwich-New London area rose 5 percent between June and July, the American Automobile Association reported Tuesday.

It was the biggest July increase in gas prices in a dozen years, the organization said.

Prices for regular gas that had been about $3.61 at the end of June were averaging $3.79 last month, according to a AAA survey. Gas prices in our area were among the lowest in the state. The Bridgeport area, by comparison, had regular gas prices averaging $3.92 in July.

"Connecticut continues to have the most expensive average gasoline prices in the country outside of Hawaii and Alaska," AAA said in its report.

Still, the average price was down 24 cents from a year ago. And AAA expected relatively flat prices this month, with costs likely decreasing after Labor Day.

- Lee Howard