Western New York drivers are paying the lowest gas prices for this time of year in more than a decade, according to AAA Western and Central New York.
Gas prices for the Memorial Day holiday were the cheapest since 2005 and were down 42 cents per gallon versus last year’s holiday. The national price for a gallon of unleaded gas went up 4 cents from last week to $2.32 per gallon. Today, the New York State average is $2.45, up 2 cents from last week.
A gallon of unleaded gas in Buffalo averages $2.41 — up two cents from a week ago — while gas in Rochester will run consumers $2.39 on average — a penny more than a week ago.
This year’s summer driving season is expected to be characterized by higher-than-normal gasoline demand, and demand remains on pace to test record levels reached in 2007. Refineries nationwide are working in preparation for what is likely to be record breaking season and if they are able to keep pace, pump prices should remain relatively lower.
A wildcard for gas prices in the coming months is the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs from June 1 – November 30. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, this year’s season will likely be near normal. Should any severe storms or hurricanes reach landfall, production, refining and distribution could be impacted.
