Gas prices continue to rise

Conflict in Iran pushes oil prices up over $100

By AAA of Western & Central New York

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.72, up 24 cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.08. The New York state average is $3.62, up 22 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.12.

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

• Batavia – $3.54 (up 25 cents from last Monday)
• Buffalo – $3.56 (up 16 cents from last Monday)
• Elmira – $3.52 (up 17 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca – $3.55 (up 15 cents from last Monday)
• Rochester – $3.58 (up 18 cents from last Monday)
• Rome – $3.62 (up 22 cents from last Monday)
• Syracuse – $3.54 (up 15 cents from last Monday)
• Watertown – $3.63 (up 17 cents from last Monday)

Spring break season is here, as the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped 24 cents in the past week. Gasoline demand increases this time of year as the weather warms up and more drivers hit the road. Crude oil prices play a major role in what drivers pay at the pump, and prices have surpassed the $100/barrel mark again this morning (and multiple times last week). To help offset rising prices, the U.S. announced it will release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves. The move is part of a broader effort by the International Energy Agency to release a total of 400 million barrels of oil in response to the Iran turmoil, the largest emergency release in its history.

According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. gasoline demand increased while supply is down and production is on the rise.

Diesel prices have also escalated. The national average is $4.99 – up 33 cents – while the New York average is $5.14, up 39 cents in the past week.

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 remains at 42 cents. New York’s rate is 40 cents, no change from last week. The state is home to 23,052 chargers. 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. 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 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.