New York drivers are paying more at the pump this week as gasoline prices continue to rise, driven by higher crude oil costs and ongoing instability in the Middle East.
According to AAA Western and Central New York, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.23, up 8 cents from last Monday. That’s more than a dollar higher than the $3.17 average recorded at the same time last year.
Across the Finger Lakes and Western New York, prices also increased over the past week:
- Elmira: $4.15, up 8 cents
- Ithaca: $4.26, unchanged
- Syracuse: $4.25, up 9 cents
- Batavia: $4.27, up 8 cents
- Buffalo: $4.29, up 6 cents
- Rochester: $4.29, up 6 cents
- Watertown: $4.29, up 11 cents
- Rome: $4.34, up 17 cents
Nationally, the average price for regular gasoline climbed 11 cents over the past week to $4.11 per gallon. A year ago, the national average stood at $3.15.
AAA says rising crude oil prices have fueled the recent jump in gas prices. Concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and continued instability in the region pushed crude oil into the upper $90-per-barrel range last week. Oil prices have since eased somewhat but remain elevated, trading between $85 and $91 per barrel. Higher crude costs could continue putting upward pressure on gasoline prices through the remainder of the summer.
Meanwhile, diesel prices also rose sharply. The national average increased 19 cents over the past week to $5.30 per gallon, while New York’s average climbed 11 cents to $5.59. One year ago, diesel averaged $3.74 nationally and $3.92 in New York.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports gasoline demand increased over the past week, while domestic gasoline supplies and production also rose. Despite those gains, higher oil prices remain the primary driver of higher fuel costs.
