Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.08, up one cent from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.42. The New York State average is $3.26, down two cents from one week ago. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.51. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $3.29 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
• Buffalo - $3.38 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
• Elmira - $3.05 (up 2 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca - $3.23 (down 4 cents from last Monday)
• Rochester - $3.28 (down 4 cents from last Monday)
• Rome - $3.30 (down 4 cents from last Monday)
• Syracuse - $3.24 (down 5 cents from last Monday)
• Watertown - $3.15 (down 2 cents from last Monday)

Since last week, the national average for a gallon of gas squeaked out a one-cent gain as local gas prices have remained steady with a slight decline in most areas. If June and July are when we typically see the highest gas prices, then December and January are when we see the lows. This pattern is holding firm, and the national average for gas will likely maintain this slow shuffle higher for the next week or two due to wintery weather hampering refinery operations and gasoline distribution.

This morning, oil prices range from $72 to $78 per barrel, the same as one week ago. Diesel prices are also moving lower. The national average price for diesel is $3.91, down a cent from one week ago, and down from $4.62 a year ago. The New York average for diesel is $4.40, also down a cent from a week ago, and lower than $5.27 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.