Gas prices in Buffalo and Rochester inched upward over the past week. In Buffalo, prices increased 2 cents to an average of $2.36, while in Rochester, prices went up 4 cents to an average of $2.36.
Across the state, gas went up an average of 2 cents to $2.38, while nationally the price for a gallon of unleaded gas went down 1 cent from last week to $2.21 per gallon, following several weeks of price increases.
Local prices went up slightly as more motorists take to the road and demand increases. Prices could increase again as we approach Memorial Day and the busy summer driving season, but remain much lower than one year ago.
The lower price environment for gas prices has not only led to drivers taking to the roads at record levels, but is also shifting attitudes about various price points. Attitudes towards gas prices have changed significantly over the past few years, according to a new survey by AAA:
Half of U.S. drivers now believe gas priced at $2.50 per gallon is “too high.” This figure has dropped significantly in relationship to the price of gas. As recently as 2014, half of Americans believed gas was “too high” at $3.30 per gallon, while last year half of Americans believed it was “too high” at $3 per gallon. Only nine percent of U.S. stations are selling gas for more than $2.50 per gallon today.
More than 35 percent of Americans believe that gas is “too high” based on today’s average price, even though gas prices are at the lowest levels since 2009. The vast majority of Americans also do not believe that gas is “cheap” today.
