"Still, gasoline stocks are only down two million 42-gallon barrels from a year ago."

Traders instead focused on continued tight supply, with gasoline stocks 5 percent below last year as the summer driving season approaches.

There would be plenty of it in store when gasoline stocks started running out.

Many traders had expected a decline in gasoline stocks, which would have extended the recent trend.

The figures did not include the Labor Day weekend, and gasoline stocks may have declined even more since then.

The nation's gasoline stocks have fallen to the lowest level in 16 years.

By contrast, gasoline stocks nationwide were 216.2 million barrels on June 22, down 1.2 percent from last year's 218.8 million.

The data also showed gasoline stocks dropping by 2.37 million barrels.

The market continued to gain support from industry data earlier in the week that showed a decline in gasoline stocks.

Energy futures rose sharply on reports of a huge decline in gasoline stocks, then fell later.