Pump prices fall for 3rd straight week

Summer travelers benefit from sustained drop in national gas prices

By AAA of Western and Central New York

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $4.07, down 9 cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.14. The New York state average is $4.36, also down 9 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.11.

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

• Batavia – $4.34 (down 7 cents from last Monday)
• Buffalo – $4.45 (down 6 cents from last Monday)
• Elmira – $4.21 (down 13 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca – $4.50 (down 6 cents from last Monday)
• Rochester – $4.45 (down 5 cents from last Monday)
• Rome – $4.42 (down 6 cents from last Monday)
• Syracuse – $4.44 (down 6 cents from last Monday)
• Watertown – $4.41 (down 5 cents from last Monday)

Drivers are seeing some relief at the pump, as the national average for regular gasoline continues its three‑week slide – dropping to $4.07. The downward trend, driven in part by crude oil prices staying below $100 per barrel, now coincides with a breakthrough agreement between the U.S. and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Crude prices briefly dipped to $80 per barrel when the deal was announced, but with the situation still evolving and the strait not expected to reopen until at least Friday, uncertainty around global oil flows continues to make this summer’s price outlook less predictable than usual.

Drivers will take all the relief they can get as they look forward to summer road trips. But even with the strait expected to reopen soon, it could still take months to get back to normal. That unknown means oil prices may not stabilize right away. This morning, oil prices are $81 to $84 per barrel, compared to $94 to $97 a week ago.

According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand is up while total domestic gasoline supply increased again in the past week. Meanwhile, gasoline production also increased last week. Diesel prices are down this week, with the national average at $5.20, down 12 cents from last week, but up from $3.53 a year ago. The New York average for diesel fuel is $5.74, down 7 cents from last week, and up from $3.87 last year.

When it comes to EV charging, the national average for L2 commercial electricity remains steady. Today’s national average per kilowatt-hour of electricity at a public EV charging station is 42 cents. New York’s rate remains at 40 cents. The state is home to 21,812 chargers. An estimated 1.2 million AAA members live in households with one or more electric vehicles. The 2026 AAA car guide shows renewed interest in electric vehicles amid high pump prices.

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. Motorists can benefit from comparing pump prices before filling up with the AAA mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.

AAA members can save on gas at Love’s Travel Stops or by joining the Fuel Rewards at Shell program. Learn more about those discounts here. Motorists can locate gas prices across the country and stay up-to-date on news and fuel-saving tips at www.gasprices.AAA.com while the AAA mobile app locates the cheapest fuel prices based on a user’s location.

As upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA Western and Central New York provides more than 850,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA WCNY has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.