Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.40 up five cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.47. The New York State average is $3.34, up two cents from one week ago. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.46. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:
- Batavia – $3.25 (down three cents from last Monday)
- Buffalo – $3.30 (no change from last Monday)
- Rochester – $3.30 (no change from last Monday
More expensive crude oil is a likely culprit of this national increase, as crude accounts for nearly 60% of the price drivers see at the pump. The cost for a barrel of oil is hovering around $80, about $10 more per barrel than a few months ago.
Daylight Saving Time took place on Sunday, meaning spring is nearly here and with it comes longer days, better weather, and more opportunities to hit the road. As more motorists hit the road, pump prices will reflect the rising gasoline demand—a trend seen every spring. According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand jumped up last week while total domestic gasoline stocks tightened. Growing gas demand, amid tighter supply, has pushed pump prices higher.
This morning, oil prices range from $78 to $83 per barrel, a $1 decrease from one week ago. Diesel prices are also fluctuating. The national average price for diesel is $4.03, down 2 cents from one week ago, and down from $4.36 a year ago. The New York average for diesel is $4.40, up 1 cent from a week ago, and lower than $4.99 one year ago.
