The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.16, up two cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.28. The New York State average is $3.18, no change from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.31. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $3.18 (no change from last Monday)
• Buffalo - $3.12 (no change from last Monday)
• Elmira - $3.03 (down one cent from last Monday)
• Ithaca - $3.24 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
• Rochester - $3.20 (no change from last Monday)
• Rome - $3.34 (up 1 cent from last Monday)
• Syracuse - $3.16 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Watertown - $3.20 (up 1 cent from last Monday)

As spring approaches, refineries are beginning their transition to summer blend fuel, which often results in higher prices this time of year. This week, gas prices rose by a few cents, bringing the national average to $3.16 per gallon. Routine seasonal maintenance and an offline refinery in Northern California are putting additional strain on supply. These factors are pushing gas prices up, which means consumers may see higher prices at the pump as warmer months approach, though other regions will likely see these changes before New York does.

According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased from 8.32 million b/d last week to 8.57. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks dropped from 251.1 million barrels to 248.1, while gasoline production saw little change last week, averaging 9.3 million barrels daily. Crude oil prices remain stable, ranging from $71 to $75 per barrel this morning, no change from last Monday.

For drivers who use diesel fuel, the national average price for diesel is $3.67, up two cents from last Monday. The New York average is $3.97, no change from last Monday.

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 remained at 34 cents, the same amount for almost 6 months. 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.