Gas prices show first decrease in several weeks

Press Release, AAA Western and Central New York

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.86, down two cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.02.

The New York State average is $2.91 – no change from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.34. (In Orleans County the current average price per gallon is at $2.904.)

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia – $2.84 (down one cent since last week)
• Buffalo – $2.83 (no change since last week)
• Rochester – $2.88 (down one cent since last week)
• Syracuse – $2.86 (down one cent since last week)
• Watertown – $2.95 (no change since last week)

Growing stock levels have helped to put downward pressure on pump prices, according to the latest weekly report from the Energy Information Administration. The national average decreased despite rising gas demand, which will likely continue through the Easter travel week.

Crude prices dropped last week due to continuing market concern that crude demand will drop as Europe increases restrictions to curb growing coronavirus infection rates and now hover at $60 to $64 per barrel. There are concerns, however, that the blocked Suez Canal will stall the supply chain for petrochemical products coming from the Middle East, leading to a possible spike in prices.