RI has ninth highest gas prices

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – If you think you’re paying too much for gas be thankful you don’t live in Hawaii or Alaska.

The two youngest states in the nation have among the highest gas prices out of the 50 states.

Rhode Island isn’t too far behind, coming in at number 9.

According to the latest estimates from AAA of Southern New England, the average price in Rhode Island is $3.68 per gallon.

24/7 Wall Street reports that taxes and production factors contribute to our high gas prices.

The state’s 33 cent a gallon tax is the 13 ^th highest in the nation and is just above the U.S. median of 30.5 cents.

With no oil refineries and no oil production in Rhode Island, it only adds extra money to the transport price of gasoline.

The burden of high gas prices in Rhode Island is almost as painful as the state’s unemployment rate, which stands at 10.9%, the second highest in the country.

Connecticut didn’t fare any better, coming in at number 3 on the list.

Here's the top 11 states with the highest gas prices.

1. Hawaii
2. Alaska
3. Connecticut
4. California
5. New York
6. Illinois
7. Michigan
8. Washington
9. Rhode Island
10. North Dakota
11. Oregon