Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.31, up 3 cents since last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.31. The New York State average is $3.44, down one cent since last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.48. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

•    Batavia - $3.33 (up 2 cents from last Monday)
•    Buffalo - $3.40 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
•    Elmira - $3.30 (up 2 cents from last Monday)
•    Ithaca - $3.52 (down 4 cents from last Monday)
•    Rochester - $3.45 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
•    Rome - $3.56 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
•    Syracuse - $3.40 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
•    Watertown - $3.44 (down 2 cents from last Monday)

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased by three cents while prices in New York remain mixed. According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the U.S. is winding down its dependence on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve which it has drawn from over the past year to add market supply and bring down pump prices of gasoline. Gas prices have fallen from a record high of $5 a gallon in mid-June and crude prices are off their high of more than $130 a barrel in early March.

This morning oil prices range from $79 to $84 per barrel, up three dollars since last week.

Diesel fuel prices moved down slightly with the national average at $4.60, down five cents from last Monday, and up from $3.61 one year ago. The New York average for diesel is $5.27, down five cents from last Monday and up from $3.76 one year ago.

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. Get more tips here: https://gasprices.aaa.com/news/fuel-saving-tips/. Motorists can benefit from comparing pump prices before filling up with the AAA Mobile App for iPhone, iPad, and Android. 

AAA members receive discounts at gas stations such as Fastrac, Maple Leaf Market and Shell. Learn more here. AAA members can save on gas by joining the Fuel Rewards at Shell program. Join now at AAA.com/Shell. Motorists can also locate gas prices across the country and stay up-to-date on the latest news and fuel-saving tips at http://gasprices.aaa.com.