Gas prices continue to drop across region

Lower oil prices = relief at the pump

Information courtesy of AAA of Western and Central New York

Monday’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline was $3.55, down 11 cents from one week ago. One year ago, the price was $3.39. The New York state average is $3.79, down 6 cents since last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.56.

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

• Batavia – $3.62 (down 9 cents from last week)
• Buffalo – $3.73 (down 3 cents from last week)
• Elmira – $3.64 (down 5 cents from last week)
• Ithaca – $3.79 (down 1 cent from last week)
• Rochester – $3.76 (down 4 cents from last week)
• Rome – $3.82 (down 7 cents from last week)
• Syracuse – $3.73 (down 4 cents from last week)
• Watertown – $3.85 (down 6 cents from last week)

Millions of drivers traveling for Thanksgiving benefited from falling pump prices. The national average has fallen sharply since the June peak of nearly $5.02. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, while lower, this year’s Thanksgiving average gas prices were the highest since AAA started keeping records in 2000.

One of the reasons for the recent drop in gas prices is lower oil prices. On Monday morning, oil prices ranged from $74 to $81 per barrel, down from $80 to $87 one week ago.

Diesel fuel prices remain elevated, with the national average at $5.22, down 8 cents from last week, but up from $3.11 one year ago. The New York average for diesel is $5.86, down 9 cents from last week, and up from $3.76 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 the latest 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 887,000 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.