Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.54, up one cent from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.50. The New York State average is $3.45, also up two cents from one week ago. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.47. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $3.36 (up 5 cents from last Monday)
• Buffalo - $3.37 (up 2 cents from last Monday)
• Elmira - $3.33 (up 3 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca - $3.40 (up 3 cents from last Monday)
• Rochester - $3.39 (up 3 cents from last Monday)
• Rome - $3.49 (up 2 cents from last Monday)
• Syracuse - $3.41 (up 3 cents from last Monday)
• Watertown - $3.51 (up 4 cents from last Monday)

After an early spring surge, the national average for a gallon of gasoline spent last week drifting up and down by a fraction of a cent before settling on $3.54. But this break may be temporary, as gas pump prices will likely resume their typical spring increase. Uncertainty of the impact of Ukraine’s targeting of Russia’s oil infrastructure likely spiked oil prices recently, but those concerns have already abated somewhat for now. Gas prices are settling back into a pattern similar to last year when the usual seasonal increase was slow and steady.

The upward trend in gas prices is not unusual this time of year. Another critical factor is the arrival of more expensive summer blend gas, which tends to increase pump prices by 10 to 15 cents. That transition is underway in some parts of the country. Nationally, gas demand dipped slightly last week as domestic supply increased. Lower demand would typically contribute to pushing pump prices lower or slowing increases, but rising oil prices have kept them elevated instead.

Diesel prices remain relatively steady. The national average price for diesel is $4.02, down two cents from last Monday. The New York average is $4.40, no change from a week 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.