Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.60, three cents higher than last Monday. One year ago, the price was $4.37. The New York State average is $3.70, also up three cents from a week ago. A year ago, the NYS average was $4.59. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $3.59 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Buffalo - $3.65 (no change from last Monday)
• Elmira - $3.62 (up 2 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca - $3.69 (no change from last Monday)
• Rochester - $3.71 (no change from last Monday)
• Rome - $3.77 (up one cent from last Monday)
• Syracuse - $3.68 (up 1 cent from last Monday)
• Watertown - $3.76 (no change from last Monday)

Despite another week of lackluster demand for gasoline, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline three cents since last Monday. The primary culprit is a higher oil price, which has recently increased more than $10 per barrel in recent weeks. This morning, the price of crude oil is around $76 to $81 per barrel. If crude oil prices continue to rise, pump prices will likely follow suit. Gas demand has barely budged from last week, and some industry experts speculate that scorching temperatures in some areas of the country are keeping people off the road. This combination of lower demand and higher oil prices is keeping pump prices relatively stable.

This morning, the national average price for diesel is $3.88, down from $5.42 a year ago. The New York average for diesel is $4.34, compared to $5.82 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 now 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.