Pump prices see another jump this week

May continues to bring much higher prices at the pump

By AAA of Western and Central New York

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $4.52, up 6 cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.14. The New York state average is $4.59, up 13 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.10.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia – $4.54 (up 15 cents from last Monday)
• Buffalo – $4.56 (up 15 cents from last Monday)
• Elmira – $4.50 (up 13 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca – $4.57 (up 17 cents from last Monday)
• Rochester – $4.57 (up 17 cents from last Monday)
• Rome – $4.55 (up 15 cents from last Monday)
• Syracuse – $4.55 (up 15 cents from last Monday)
• Watertown – $4.59 (up 10 cents from last Monday)

Drivers are facing another sharp jump at the pump, with the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline rising 6 cents since last Monday. New York state has seen an even steeper 13‑cent increase, and some local regions are experiencing higher spikes still. The surge coincides with the start of May, as oil prices climbed amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Gas prices are now at their highest level in four years, last seen in 2022. As of this morning, oil is trading between $97 and $104 per barrel, compared to $103 to $109 just one week ago.

According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand, production and total domestic supply all decreased slightly last week, which could help contribute to the price fluctuations at the pump.

Diesel prices are also on the rise this week, with the national average at $5.64 – no change from last week, but up from $3.53 a year ago. The New York average for diesel fuel is $5.93, down 1 cent from last week, and up from $3.89 last year.

When it comes to EV charging, the national average for L2 commercial electricity is up slightly. Today’s national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station is 42 cents, steady from last week. New York’s rate is 40 cents, down 2 cents from last week. The state is home to 20,988 chargers. An estimated 1.2 million AAA members live in households with one or more electric vehicles.

A new AAA survey shows that drivers continue to show greater interest in hybrid vehicles than in fully electric models. This year, 35% of U.S. adults say they are “very likely” or “likely” to purchase a hybrid for their next vehicle, whether new or used. Those who favor hybrids most often point to reduced concerns about driving range and access to charging.

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. Motorists can benefit from comparing pump prices before filling up with the AAA mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.

AAA members can save on gas at Love’s Travel Stops or by joining the Fuel Rewards at Shell program. Learn more about those discounts here. Motorists can locate gas prices across the country and stay up to date on news and fuel-saving tips at www.gasprices.AAA.com while the AAA mobile app locates the cheapest fuel prices based on a user’s location.

As upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA Western and Central New York provides more than 850,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA WCNY has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.