Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.93, which is up five cents from one week ago. One year ago, the price was $2.36. The New York State average is $3.07, which is up seven cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.50. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $2.97 (up 8 cents in past week)
• Buffalo - $2.96 (up 6 cents in past week)
• Ithaca - $2.99 (up 4 cents in past week)
• Rochester - $3.03 (up 10 cents in past week)
• Rome - $3.08 (up 9 cents in past week)
• Syracuse - $3.05 (up 8 cents in past week)
• Watertown - $3.09 (up 9 cents in past week)

Rising crude costs, the switchover to more-expensive-to-produce gasoline by the federal deadline on June 1, tighter supplies and robust gasoline demand continue to help lift pump prices across the nation. According to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) petroleum report for the week ending on May 11, total gasoline stocks fell 3.8 million bbl from the previous week. At 232 million bbl, stocks are 8.7 million bbl lower than their level at this time last year. Additionally, EIA estimates that gasoline demand hit 9.5 million b/d last week, which is approximately 80,000 b/d more than the same week last year. As these trends continue to unfold, pump prices are likely to continue climbing before Memorial Day. 

AAA’s Memorial Day Travel Forecast expects 41.5 million Americans to travel this upcoming weekend, with the majority (36.6 million) taking road trips. Rising gas prices shouldn’t deter travelers, but drivers should budget accordingly based on their destination.

Motorists can always find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad, and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance. Locate gas prices across the country at http://gasprices.aaa.com.
 

AAA WCNY wants to remind members that they can receive discounts at NOCO gas stations, as well as Fastrac locations. Learn more here. You can find the lowest prices in your area at http://aaa.opisnet.com/index.aspx.