AAA report: Gas price decline Slows, but likely won’t stop

CENTRAL NEW YORK — According to AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY), the national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.21 as of Saturday, seeing no change from last Monday.

One year ago, the price was $3.87. The New York State average is $3.32, down four cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.93. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages as of Saturday:

Batavia – $3.43 (down 1 cent from last Monday)

Buffalo – $3.42 (down 3 cents from last Monday)

Elmira – $3.16 (down 3 cents from last Monday)

Ithaca – $3.51 (down 3 cents from last Monday)

Rochester – $3.44 (down 3 cents from last Monday)

Rome – $3.42 (down 4 cents from last Monday)

Syracuse – $3.32 (down 3 cents from last Monday)

Watertown – $3.25 (down 10 cents from last Monday)

The national average for a gallon of gas has seen no change since last Monday, but New York state continues to see a decline in prices at the pump this week. The arrival of Hurricane Francine to the Gulf Coast created some temporary issues for nearby oil production and refining. Gasoline prices have been plunging consistently for several weeks, but it is not uncommon to see hurricanes impact gas prices temporarily. Fuel demand and oil prices are low lately, so pump prices will likely resume their slow descent soon now that Hurricane Francine has dissipated. Soon, the arrival of cheaper winter-blend gasoline will help to further take pressure off of pump prices as autumn approaches.

When it comes to EV charging, the national and state averages for L2 commercial electricity remain steady. The national average for a kilowatt of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station sits at 35 cents. An estimated 1.2 million AAA members live in households with one or more electric vehicles. For drivers who use diesel fuel, the national average price for diesel is $3.60, no change from last Monday. The New York average is $4.02, down two cents from last Monday.

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