Gas prices aren't showing the love

Local motorists could see slight rise in pump prices during February break

By AAA of Western and Central New York

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.28, up 8 cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.41. The New York state average is $3.30, up 2 cents from one week ago. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.49.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia – $3.23 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Buffalo – $3.30 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
• Elmira – $3.07 (up 2 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca – $3.22 (up 3 cents from last Monday)
• Rochester – $3.27 (up 1 cent from last Monday)
• Rome – $3.34 (up 3 cents from last Monday)
• Syracuse – $3.26 (up 2 cents from last Monday)
• Watertown – $3.29 (up 7 cents from last Monday)

After months of barely budging more than a few cents, the national average for pump prices moved into the fast lane, surging 8 cents since last Monday. A significant contributor is a shutdown at the large BP-Whiting refinery in Indiana, which was offline for more than two weeks due to a power outage. The refinery processes 435,000 barrels of crude oil per day, and the shutdown caused prices throughout the Midwest to climb, pushing the national average higher, as well.

In New York state, we are seeing only a few cents difference since last week, which is more typical for this time of year. This past week, we saw a decrease in gas demand, but fluctuating oil prices and a tight gas supply increasing prices. With February break this week in the Northeast, we could see a spike in gas demand result in another increase in pump prices locally.

​This morning, oil prices range from $78 to $83 per barrel, a $2 increase from one week ago. Diesel prices are also fluctuating. The national average price for diesel is $4.10, up 10 cents from one week ago, and down from $4.51 a year ago. The New York average for diesel is $4.41, up 1 cent from a week ago, and lower than $5.14 one year ago.

To conserve fuel, motorists should map routes, avoid peak traffic times like rush hour, and combine errands into one trip while using cruise control when possible. Drivers should also make sure tire pressure is at the vehicle’s recommended level for the best gas mileage, while removing any unnecessary and bulky items from the car since it takes more fuel to accelerate a heavy vehicle. Get more tips here: https://gasprices.aaa.com/news/fuel-saving-tips/. Motorists can benefit from comparing pump prices before filling up with the AAA mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.

AAA members receive discounts at gas stations such as Fastrac, Maple Leaf Market and Shell. Learn more here. AAA members can save on gas by joining the Fuel Rewards at Shell program. Join at AAA.com/Shell. Motorists can also locate gas prices across the country and stay up-to-date on news and fuel-saving tips at http://gasprices.AAA.com.

As upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA Western and Central New York provides more than 860,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.