Local gas prices remain unchanged from a week ago, while nationally, gas prices started turning lower heading into the Labor Day weekend, which marks the unofficial end to the summer driving season.
The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is now $2.20 per gallon, down two cents from last week. The New York State average is $2.32 per gallon, also down two cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.60.
In Buffalo and Rochester, gas prices were $2.28 per gallon, the same as last week, according to AAA.
When it became clear that Hurricane Hermine would not impact production, prices dropped quickly during the second half of last week and through the weekend. While the possibility of future storms over the remaining months of hurricane season could send prices temporarily higher, the seasonal effect of lower demand (with the busy summer driving season in the rear view mirror), combined with the changeover to cheaper-to- produce winter-blend gasoline, likely means prices will decrease over the next several months.
