Gas prices across New York are holding steady heading into the holiday week, even as the national average ticks up slightly.
According to AAA Western and Central New York, the statewide average for a gallon of regular fuel is $2.99 — unchanged from last Monday and nearly 20 cents lower than this time last year, when the average was $3.18.
Nationally, prices rose three cents to $2.93 per gallon, but remain well below the $3.16 drivers were paying a year ago.
Around the region, most cities saw little to no movement at the pump. Current averages include:
Batavia – $3.03 (no change)
Buffalo – $3.07 (no change)
Elmira – $2.79 (down 1 cent)
Ithaca – $3.11 (no change)
Rochester – $3.06 (down 1 cent)
Rome – $3.11 (up 2 cents)
Syracuse – $2.96 (no change)
Watertown – $3.03 (no change)
AAA says drivers may see small increases around Presidents Day as travel picks up for the holiday and mid-winter school break. Gasoline demand and supply both rose last week, and production is up to about 9.1 million barrels per day.
Oil prices remain in the low-to-mid $60 range, which analysts say should help keep pump prices relatively stable in the near term. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil inventories are running about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year.
Overall, AAA says New Yorkers are still paying noticeably less than they were at the pump last winter.
