Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.42, up 11 cents since last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.33. The New York State average is $3.51, up 7 cents since last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.50. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

•    Batavia - $3.39 (up 6 cents from last Monday)
•    Buffalo - $3.42 (up 2 cents from last Monday)
•    Elmira - $3.40 (up 10 cents from last Monday)
•    Ithaca - $3.49 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
•    Rochester - $3.47 (up 2 cents from last Monday)
•    Rome - $3.61 (up 5 cents from last Monday)
•    Syracuse - $3.46 (up 6 cents from last Monday)
•    Watertown - $3.48 (up 4 cents from last Monday)

Across the country and in New York the average price for a gallon of regular gas is once again higher this morning than it was one year ago. The Energy Information Administration says gas inventories gained 7.6 million barrels over the last two weeks but demand also rose by a half a million barrels a day and East Coast gasoline inventories have declined. Wholesale gas prices in New York are up 55 cents since early December and the price of oil continues to climb.  

This morning oil prices range from $82 to $88 per barrel, up more than three dollars since last week.

Diesel fuel prices moved up slightly with the national average at $4.62, up 2 cents from last Monday, and up from $3.67 one year ago. The New York average for diesel is $5.27, the same price as last Monday and up from $3.83 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 the latest news and fuel-saving tips at http://gasprices.aaa.com.