National gas price average drops below $4 per gallon

New York has 9th-highest gas prices in nation

By AAA of Western and Central New York

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.93, down 14 cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.22. The New York state average is $4.23, down 13 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.21.

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

• Batavia – $4.30 (down 4 cents from last Monday)
• Buffalo – $4.35 (down 10 cents from last Monday)
• Elmira – $4.08 (down 13 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca – $4.45 (down 5 cents from last Monday)
• Rochester – $4.34 (down 11 cents from last Monday)
• Rome – $4.31 (down 11 cents from last Monday)
• Syracuse – $4.35 (down 9 cents from last Monday)
• Watertown – $4.29 (down 12 cents from last Monday)

Drives are getting a break at the pump as summer arrives and the travel season heats up. Last week, for the first time since Mach 30, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline dropped below $4 and has continued to drop to $3.93 this morning. Unfortunately, New York prices remain over $4 per gallon with the state ranking ninth for the highest prices in the country. Crude oil prices are down as the U.S. and Iran reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This morning, oil prices are down to $75 to $79 per barrel.

Sliding gas prices come as millions of Americans prepare to travel for Independence Day. AAA projects 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Independence Day between Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, July 5, with 61.4 million people driving to their destinations.

According to the Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand is on the rise while total domestic gasoline supply is down and production is up.

Diesel prices are down this week, with the national average at $5.01, down 19 cents from last week, but up from $3.68 a year ago. The New York average for diesel fuel is $5.60, down 14 cents from last week, and up from $3.92 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 22,018 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.