Thanksgiving Travelers Benefit from Lower Gas Prices

Thanksgiving Travelers Benefit from Lower Gas Prices

National average matches 2024 low, 20 cents cheaper than last year
Mark Gruba
National average matches 2024 low, 20 cents cheaper than last year

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.06, down one cent from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.26. The New York State average is $3.15, no change from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.58. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

•    Batavia - $3.26 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
•    Buffalo - $3.19 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
•    Elmira - $3.14 (up 1 cent from last Monday)
•    Ithaca - $3.37 (up 1 cent from last Monday)
•    Rochester - $3.26 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
•    Rome - $3.34 (up 2 cents from last Monday)
•    Syracuse - $3.16 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
•    Watertown - $3.15 (no change from last Monday)

Drivers hitting the road for Thanksgiving this year are catching a break. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.06, matching the 2024 low set back in January. It’s also 20 cents cheaper than one year ago. AAA is forecasting nearly 72 million Americans will drive 50 miles or more from their home over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend (Tuesday to Monday). That’s a new record and an additional 1.3 million compared to last year.

Oil, the primary ingredient in the production of gasoline, is trading in the low $70s per barrel this morning – similar to last week - and that’s helping keep prices down as demand for gas is expected to rise for the holiday.

When it comes to EV charging, the national and state averages for L2 commercial electricity remain steady. The national average for a kilowatt of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station sits at 35 cents. The average in New York is 34 cents. An estimated 1.2 million AAA members live in households with one or more electric vehicles.

For drivers who use diesel fuel, the national average price for diesel is $3.53, no change from last Monday. The New York average is $3.86, down one cent from last Monday.

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.