The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.94, up one cent from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.15. The New York State average is $3.00, up one cent from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.17. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $3.03 (no change from last Monday)
• Buffalo - $3.07 (no change from last Monday)
• Elmira - $2.79 (no change from last Monday)
• Ithaca - $3.11 (no change from last Monday)
• Rochester - $3.06 (no change from last Monday)
• Rome - $3.11 (no change from last Monday)
• Syracuse - $2.97 (up 1 cent from last Monday)
• Watertown - $3.03 (no change from last Monday)

Drivers may notice slight relief at the pump, as the local average for a gallon of regular gasoline has remained relatively steady since last Monday, even with increased travel demand for Presidents’ Day and February break. Right now, gas prices are the lowest they’ve been for this time of year since 2021.

According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.30 million b/d to 8.74 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 259.1 million barrels to 255.8 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.4 million barrels per day.

This morning, oil is trading in the mid $60s to low $70s, which should keep gas prices somewhat stable. However, tensions between the U.S. and Iran could drive up crude oil prices. This past week, the EIA reports that U.S. crude oil inventories are about 5% below the five-year average for this time of year.

When it comes to EV charging, the national and state averages for L2 commercial electricity is up slightly. Today’s national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station is up 3 cents to 42 cents. New York’s rate is up a penny to 40 cents. The state is home to 19,679 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.