Gas prices unchanged in Orleans in past week, but up 8 cents nationally

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 February 2024 at 3:25 pm

Gas prices were up an average of 8 cents nationally for regular unleaded in the past week to $3.28 a gallon, following a 5-cent jump the previous week.

However, the price is unchanged in Orleans in the past week – $3.384 a gallon, according to AAA.

In New York, the statewide average is up 2.5 cents from $3.279 a week ago to $3.304 today.

Here are the average prices in Western New York counties today:

  • Orleans, $3.384
  • Genesee, $3.234
  • Wyoming, $3.365
  • Livingston, $3.416
  • Monroe, $3.227
  • Niagara, $3.204
  • Erie, $3.324
  • Chautauqua, $3.348
  • Cattaraugus, $3.237
  • Allegany, $3.392

AAA issued this statement about gas prices:

“After months of barely budging more than a few cents, the national average for pump prices moved into the fast lane, surging 8 cents since last Monday. A significant contributor is a shutdown at the large BP-Whiting refinery in Indiana, which was offline for more than two weeks due to a power outage. The refinery processes 435,000 barrels of crude oil per day, and the shutdown caused prices throughout the Midwest to climb, pushing the national average higher as well.

“In New York State, we are seeing only a few cents difference since last week, which is more typical for this time of year. This past week, we saw a decrease in gas demand, but fluctuating oil prices and a tight gas supply increasing prices.

“With February Break this week in the northeast, we could see a spike in gas demand result in another increase in pump prices locally.

“This morning, oil prices range from $78 to $83 per barrel, a $2 increase from one week ago. Diesel prices are also fluctuating. The national average price for diesel is $4.10, up 10 cents from one week ago, and down from $4.51 a year ago. The New York average for diesel is $4.41, up 1 cent from a week ago, and lower than $5.14 one year ago.”