Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.13, up six cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.10. The New York State average is $3.38, down three cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.42. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

•    Batavia - $3.44 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
•    Buffalo - $3.52 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
•    Elmira - $3.15 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
•    Ithaca - $3.42 (down 6 cents from last Monday)
•    Rochester - $3.47 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
•    Rome - $3.40 (down 5 cents from last Monday)
•    Syracuse - $3.38 (down 6 cents from last Monday)
•    Watertown - $3.23 (down 8 cents from last Monday)

There is mixed news for gas prices on the day after Christmas. The national average for a gallon of regular gas has risen six cents since last Monday, while the average for a gallon of regular in New York has fallen three cents. This is the first rise in the national average since September, when the cheaper to produce winter blend of fuel was reintroduced. Prices were slower to fall in New York when the national average first came down, and we may be seeing a similar effect now as prices in New York trail the national trend.

Demand for gas is strong amid a 10-day holiday travel period where AAA predicts nearly 104 million motorists will drive 50 miles or more from their home. In addition, oil prices are creeping higher back toward the $80 a barrel mark. If these trends continue over the next week, motorists everywhere may see gas prices rise.

Diesel prices are seeing a similar mixed trend. The national average price for diesel is $4.01, up one cent from last Monday, and down from $4.68 a year ago. The New York average for diesel is $4.48, down three cents from a week ago, and lower than $5.37 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.