Pump prices remain at record highs for autumn

Local pump prices steady since last week

By AAA of Western and Central New York

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $4.35, down 1 cent from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.08. The New York state average is $4.45, down 2 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.16.

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

• Batavia – $4.39 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
• Buffalo – $4.39 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
• Elmira – $4.33 (down 4 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca – $4.41 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
• Rochester – $4.41 (down one cent from last Monday)
• Rome – $4.47 (up one cent from last Monday)
• Syracuse – $4.36 (down one cent from last Monday)
• Watertown – $4.51 (down 3 cents from last Monday)

After a record-setting September, gas prices remain at their highest level for this time of year. Although the national average has dropped a cent since last Monday, pump prices remain at record highs for autumn – and this is the first year the national average has been above $4 per gallon in October. After dipping into the $80-per-barrel-range for several days, crude oil has returned to $90 to $100 per barrel.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports demand and supply are up, while gasoline production has decreased slightly this past week. Typically, gas prices fall at this time of year as demand declines and refineries switch to cheaper, winter-blend fuel. However, ongoing volatility in the Strait of Hormuz could continue to push prices up at the pump.

Diesel prices are down this morning, with the national average at $6.26, down 6 cents from last week. Prices are up from $3.66 a year ago. In New York, the average diesel price is $6.51 per gallon, unchanged from last week. A year ago, New York drivers were paying an average of $3.88 per gallon.

When it comes to EV charging, the national average for L2 commercial electricity remains steady. Today’s national average per kilowatt-hour of electricity at a public EV charging station is 41 cents. New York’s rate is 40 cents. The state is home to 21,141 chargers. An estimated 1.2 million AAA members live in households with one or more electric vehicles. The 2026 AAA Car Guide shows renewed interest in electric vehicles amid high pump prices.

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.