Gas prices keep climbing

Oil prices on the rise along with summer demand for fuel

By AAA of Western and Central New York

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $4.11, up 11 cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.15. The New York state average is $4.23, up 8 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.17.

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

• Batavia – $4.27 (up 8 cents from last Monday)
• Buffalo – $4.29 (up 6 cents from last Monday)
• Elmira – $4.15 (up 8 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca – $4.26 (no change from last Monday)
• Rochester – $4.29 (up 6 cents from last Monday)
• Rome – $4.34 (up 17 cents from last Monday)
• Syracuse – $4.25 (up 9 cents from last Monday)
• Watertown – $4.29 (up 11 cents from last Monday)

Gas prices continue to increase with the national average jumping 11 cents in the past week. Rising crude oil prices are behind the spike at the pump. Volatility along the Strait of Hormuz and instability in the region have pushed crude oil prices into the high-$90-per-barrel range last week. This morning, oil prices range from $85 to $91 per barrel. Higher oil prices could continue driving up pump prices during the second half of summer. 

According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand is on the rise while total domestic gasoline supply is also up along with gasoline production.

Diesel prices are up this week, with the national average at $5.30, up 19 cents from last week. Last year at this time, the national average price for diesel fuel was $3.74. The New York average for diesel fuel is $5.59, up 11 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 is 41 cents. The state is home to 20,401 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.