N.J. tosses in full service with cheapest gas in U.S.

Old standard lines of “production problems” and “high demand” as key reasons behind ever-rising gasoline prices don’t get vehicle drivers excited in New Jersey.

Grumpy Editor finds New Jersey this week not only is the only state with the average price of  gasoline still under $3 a gallon, but the fuel is pumped into cars at full-service stations.

Can’t beat that dual appeal.

“It shows how little cost has to do with the price of gas,” according to an Energy Information Administration analyst.

New Jersey benefits from four in-state refineries.  But California has many more refineries, especially in the Los Angeles area.  Yet, California has the nation’s highest average price this week, with a gallon of regular unleaded costing $3.457.   (Maybe Tony Soprano has something to do with gas prices in Jersey.)

But the place where drivers are really angry is in oil-rich Iran where the price of gasoline yesterday jumped 25 percent --- to the equivalent of 38 cents a gallon from 30.