The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.00, up six cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.10. The New York State average is $3.01, up one cent from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.16. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $3.00 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
• Buffalo - $3.06 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Elmira - $2.78 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Ithaca - $3.10 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Rochester - $3.06 (no change from last Monday)
• Rome - $3.12 (up 1 cent from last Monday)
• Syracuse - $2.98 (up 1 cent from last Monday)
• Watertown - $3.03 (no change from last Monday)

Spring weather may be weeks away in much of the country, but the seasonal rise in gas prices is underway. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline rose by six cents this past week to $3.00. Refineries are beginning production of summer-blend gasoline, which contains pricier additives to reduce evaporation during warmer months. Gas demand is also expected to increase this month as spring break season kicks off and more drivers take road trips.

Additionally, the U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran could disrupt oil exports and cause gas prices to spike, as Iran plays a significant role in global crude oil supply. While the U.S. does not import Iranian oil, major buyers like China and India do. If the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to open waters, is blocked, that could tighten global supply and impact prices worldwide, including domestically. Oil prices have surged by 9–13% following the attack. This morning, oil is trading in the low $70s to $80s, a jump up from the mid $60s to low $70s range seen last Monday.

According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.74 million b/d to 8.73 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 255.8 million barrels to 254.8 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.2 million barrels per day.

When it comes to EV charging, the national and state averages for L2 commercial electricity is down slightly. Today’s national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station is down 3 cents to 39 cents. New York’s rate is down a penny to 39 cents as well. The state is home to 23,052 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.