National Pump Prices Increase, Regional Prices Down

National Pump Prices Increase, Regional Prices Down

Demand for gasoline is down along with production
Elizabeth Carey
Demand for gasoline is down along with production

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $4.06, up 5 cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.14. The New York State average is $4.13, down 3 cents 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 - $4.21 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
  • Buffalo - $4.21 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
  • Elmira - $4.00 (down 8 cents from last Monday)
  • Ithaca - $4.19 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
  • Rochester - $4.21 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
  • Rome - $4.22 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
  • Syracuse - $4.14 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
  • Watertown - $4.18 (no change from last Monday)

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is back on the rise, though regional prices remain down. Crude oil prices are once again in the $81 to $88 per barrel range this morning amid continued uncertainty along the Strait of Hormuz. While gasoline demand is down, crude oil prices are keeping pump prices higher than normal for this time of year. So far, this is the highest August on record when it comes to the national gasoline average.

According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand is down slightly along with total domestic gasoline supply. Gasoline production is also on the decline.

Diesel prices are up again this week, with the national average at $5.45, compared to $5.30 a week ago. Last year at this time, the national average price for diesel fuel was $3.70. The New York average for diesel fuel is $5.62, up 2 cents from last week, and up from $3.91 last year.

When it comes to EV charging, the national average for L2 commercial electricity remains steady. Today’s national average per kilowatt-hour of electricity at a public EV charging station is 42 cents. New York’s rate is 41 cents. The state is home to 20,762 chargers. An estimated 1.2 million AAA members live in households with one or more electric vehicles. The 2026 AAA Car Guide shows renewed interest in electric vehicles amid high pump prices.

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. Motorists can benefit from comparing pump prices before filling up with the AAA Mobile App for iPhone, iPad, and Android.

AAA members enjoy savings on gas at Love’s Travel Stops or by joining the Fuel Rewards at Shell program. Learn more about those discounts here. Motorists can locate gas prices across the country and stay up-to-date on news and fuel-saving tips at www.gasprices.AAA.com while the AAA Mobile App locates the cheapest fuel prices based on a user’s location.