Why Are Newburyport Gas Prices Higher Than Other Communities?

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To put it plainly, gas prices in Newburyport in comparison to surrounding towns are outrageous. As I write this today, Newburyport Shell is $4.79/ gallon while Amesbury Irving is $3.53/gallon, an almost $1 difference. A few miles and a town line should not warrant that high of a spread between gas prices. It may not seem like a lot, but $1/gallon adds up extremely quick, especially in today’s economy where everything else is rising in cost as well.

The current world is all about convenience, and having to drive to another town to save money at the pump is extremely inconvenient, wastes time, resources, and quite frankly, is a slap in the face to Newburyport residents. It also drives business out of Newburyport. Not just in the sense of gas purchases, but convenience store purchases as well. And who knows, while you’re out of town, you might grab dinner out of town too. In short, higher gas prices in Newburyport are bad for us, the consumer, and local businesses.

This issue is one of many in the rising cost of affordability in Newburyport. You can’t get into a single-family home for under $800,000 asking price (not including the outrageous current interest rates) or into an apartment for under $1,800 / month for a one-bedroom apartment. People need a social life away from home or work. If you are lucky enough to afford to live in Newburyport, a lot of people are just getting by paying for their mortgage, rent, car, insurance payments, groceries and other bills, resulting in not being able to afford a social life. Newburyport has so many great restaurants, shops, etc. for people to enjoy, but if no one can afford to live there and no one can afford to drive there, then Newburyport will suffer. Eventually, over time, Newburyport’s thriving economy and community will diminish.

I’m writing this article not as a Newburyport resident (though I’d LOVE to be someday), but as someone who frequently visits. It is one of my favorite towns to go out to eat, stroll the waterfront, and check out the shops. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to afford to continue contributing to the Newburyport economy, especially when I can go out to eat or visit shops much cheaper in downtown Amesbury or Haverhill, and closer to my home. I have been actively avoiding filling up my gas tank in Newburyport as well due to the outrageous prices, even when it would be more convenient for me to do so.

Currently in Massachusetts, there are no regulations on the prices at the pump. I understand every gas station is privately owned and they set their own prices, but something needs to be done about the unjust price gauging. Whether that may be urging legislators to pass price-capping laws, boycotting Newburyport gas stations, or something else, I hope to see the change come soon before Newburyport as a whole suffers.

Christine Flammia

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