The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $4.28, down one cent from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.05. The New York State average is $4.38, down four cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.11. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $4.34 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
• Buffalo - $4.35 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
• Elmira - $4.23 (down 6 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca - $4.39 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Rochester - $4.38 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Rome - $4.43 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
• Syracuse - $4.32 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Watertown - $4.43 (down 4 cents from last Monday)

While northern states have begun transitioning to winter-blend gasoline, which is less expensive to produce and typically lowers costs at the pump, gas prices have seen little relief as crude oil remains above $100 per barrel. The national average has stayed above $4 per gallon since late July and is currently $1.23 higher than a year ago. Although gas prices normally decline during the fall, ongoing volatility in the oil market has pushed prices to seasonal record highs this year. Crude oil is currently trading between $101 and $115 per barrel amid instability in the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, October is on track to become the most expensive October on record for gas prices, following record-setting highs in August and September.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that demand is up along with production while overall supply is down slightly.
Diesel prices are up this morning, with the national average at $6.34, up 3 cents from last week. Prices are up from $3.66 a year ago. In New York, the average diesel price is $6.49 per gallon, down a penny from last week. A year ago, New York drivers were paying an average of $3.87 per gallon.

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 40 cents. The state is home to 21,328 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.