Gas prices resume retreat: Low oil prices supply holiday season gift to drivers

By AAA of Western and Central New York

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.15, down 9 cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.28. The New York state average is $3.48, down 5 cents from a week ago. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.61.

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

• Batavia – $3.54 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Buffalo – $3.58 (down 5 cents from last Monday)
• Elmira – $3.23 (down 4 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca – $3.55 (down 4 cents from last Monday)
• Rochester – $3.56 (down 5 cents from last Monday)
• Rome – $3.56 (down 5 cents from last Monday)
• Syracuse – $3.50 (down 5 cents from last Monday)
• Watertown – $3.41 (down 9 cents from last Monday)

After a slight pause, gas prices moved steadily lower over the last week with the national average trimming 9 cents to $3.15 for a gallon of regular. Lower oil prices continue to drive the decline, as the average price for a barrel of oil has fallen from the $80s into the low $70s (where it stands this morning(. The falling price comes just over a week after OPEC+ announced voluntary production cuts of about 2 million barrels a day.

According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand increased slightly last week while the domestic supply rose significantly by over 5 million barrels of crude. Supply growth has helped push pump prices lower. If oil prices remain low, drivers can expect gas prices to follow suit during the holiday season.

​Diesel prices are also dropping. The national average price for diesel is $4.10, down 9 cents from last Monday, and down from $4.94 a year ago. The New York average for diesel is $4.55, down 4 cents from a week ago, and lower than $5.64 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 862,000 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.