The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.22, up eight cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.45. The New York State average is $3.21, up 10 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.58. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

•    Batavia - $3.24 (up six cents from last Monday)
•    Buffalo - $3.19 (up 10 cents from last Monday)
•    Elmira - $3.14 (up 14 cents from last Monday)
•    Ithaca - $3.15 (up 11 cents from last Monday)
•    Rochester - $3.21 (up nine cents from last Monday)
•    Rome - $3.27 (up eight cents from last Monday)
•    Syracuse - $3.17 (up 13 cents from last Monday)
•    Watertown - $3.24 (up 10 cents from last Monday)

Gas prices across the country and here in New York are moving higher as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to rattle oil markets. Oil is the primary ingredient in gasoline and the price per barrel is climbing after U.S. airstrikes at targets in Iran over the weekend marked an escalation of tensions in the region. The cost of oil was $74 to $77 dollars per barrel in trading Monday morning, up about $2 per barrel from a week ago. As the conflict continues, analysts are closely watching the Strait of Hormuz – a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Roughly 20 percent of global oil trade passes through the strait and any disruption could drive oil and gas prices even higher.

Diesel costs are also jumping. Drivers who use diesel fuel have seen the national average price for diesel rise to $3.68, up 16 cents from last Monday. The New York average is $3.92, up seven cents from last week.

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 stands at 36 cents. 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.