The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.95, down five cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.02. The New York State average is $3.12, down a penny from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.15. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $3.11 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Buffalo - $3.16 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Elmira - $2.98 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca - $3.21 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Rochester - $3.16 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Rome - $3.17 (down 4 cents from last Monday)
• Syracuse - $3.08 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Watertown - $3.16 (down 1 cent from last Monday)

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline hit a milestone last week when it dipped below $3 a gallon for the first time in 4 years. On Tuesday, the national average hit $2.99 and has since dropped to $2.95. The last time the national average reached an even $3.00 or below was in May of 2021. Crude oil prices remain on the lower side trading at $59 to $63 per barrel this morning. Sluggish gas demand and cheaper-to-produce winter blend gasoline are also contributing to the drop at the pump.

New York prices are down as drivers keep an eye on the pump hopeful that local prices will continue to drop. In the absence of an unexpected disruption in production or transportation, consumers will likely see gas prices continue to fall in the coming weeks.

Diesel prices are also on the decline. The national average is $3.69 – down five cents from last week. The New York average is $3.93, down one cent from a week ago.

When it comes to EV charging, the national and state averages for L2 commercial electricity remain steady. Today’s national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station is 39 cents. New York’s rate is 38 cents – the state is home to 17,438 chargers. An estimated 1.2 million AAA members live in households with one or more electric vehicles.

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 news and fuel-saving tips at http://gasprices.AAA.com.