Gas prices creep up ahead of Memorial Day holiday

39.4 million Americans expected to take holiday road trips

AAA of Western and Central New York Press Release

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.18, up 4 cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.59. The New York state average is $3.13, up 4 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.70.

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

• Batavia – $3.14 (up 1 cent from last Monday)
• Buffalo – $3.07 (up 1 cent from last Monday)
• Elmira – $3.00 (up 8 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca – $3.04 (up 4 cents from last Monday)
• Rochester – $3.11 (up 1 cent from last Monday)
• Rome – $3.24 (up 1 cent from last Monday)
• Syracuse – $3.06 (no change from last Monday)
• Watertown – $3.16 (up 2 cents from last Monday)

Gas prices are creeping back up just in time for the busy summer driving season, as the price of crude oil rises and demand goes up. Typically, the seasonal increase in gas prices starts earlier in the spring, but lower crude oil prices this year have kept that from happening. Now, we’re starting to settle in a more typical pattern. Despite the upward trend, drivers are paying about 40 cents less compared to last year, which is good news for the record 39.4 million Americans expected to take road trips over Memorial Day weekend.

According to latest data from the Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand increased from 8.71 million b/d to 8.79. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 225.7 million barrels to 224.7. Gasoline production is down, averaging 9.4 million barrels per day.

For drivers who use diesel fuel, the national average price for diesel is $3.53, up 2 cents from last Monday. The New York average is $3.88, no change from last Monday.

When it comes to EV charging, the national and state averages for L2 commercial electricity remain steady. Today’s national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stands at 36 cents. An estimated 1.2 million AAA members live in households with one or more electric vehicles.

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 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.

As upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA Western and Central New York provides more than 866,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.