Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.54, no change from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $4.68. The New York State average is $3.68, no change from a week ago. A year ago, the NYS average was $4.81. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

•    Batavia - $3.58 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
•    Buffalo - $3.65 (down one cent from last Monday)
•    Elmira - $3.60 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
•    Ithaca - $3.69 (down one cent from last Monday)
•    Rochester - $3.71 (no change from last Monday)
•    Rome - $3.77 (down one cent from last Monday)
•    Syracuse - $3.67 (down one cent from last Monday)
•    Watertown - $3.75 (down one cent from last Monday)

Drivers are seeing consistent gas prices at the pump coming out of the July 4th holiday. With the price for a barrel of oil holding steady in the 70-dollar range, the average cost for a gallon of regular has not budged across the country and across New York State over the last week. The latest data from the Energy Information Agency (EIA) reveals a spike in demand for gas countered by a dip in overall supply. That typically drives pump prices up, but not with the relatively cheap cost of oil. Gas prices are much cheaper than a year ago when motorists were paying $4.68 on average for a gallon of regular across the country.

This morning, the national average price for diesel is $3.84, down from $5.65 a year ago. The New York average for diesel is $4.37, compared to $6.06 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.