New York’s average price for regular gasoline reached $4.49 a gallon Saturday, about $1.28 higher than a year earlier, according to AAA’s Sept. 26 figures.
Regional averages ranged from $4.37 in Elmira to $4.49 in Binghamton. The latest AAA fuel price report says national prices are climbing during a season that typically brings relief at the pump.
AAA attributed the increase to continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz and high crude oil costs.
In its Thursday report, the organization said the national average of $4.48 was the highest recorded for that time of year. By Saturday, the national average was approximately $4.49.
Regional prices remain well above last year
AAA’s New York price tracker listed these metropolitan averages for regular gasoline on Sept. 26:
| Area | Current average | One year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $4.43 | $3.22 |
| Ithaca | $4.45 | $3.24 |
| Syracuse | $4.39 | $3.16 |
| Elmira | $4.37 | $3.10 |
| Binghamton | $4.49 | $3.17 |
| Batavia | $4.42 | $3.22 |
The statewide average increased approximately 32 cents over the past month, although its weekly increase was only about 1 cent.
Elmira’s average declined slightly from the previous week. Rochester, Ithaca, Syracuse and Binghamton recorded increases.
These figures are area averages, rather than prices guaranteed at individual stations.
September heads toward a national record
AAA’s Thursday report put the national average at $4.4825, compared with $4.4386 a week earlier, $4.0991 a month earlier and $3.1634 a year earlier.
That amounted to a weekly increase of about 4.4 cents, a monthly increase of about 38 cents and an annual increase of approximately $1.32 per gallon.
The national average for September through the report date was $4.30. AAA said that exceeded the previous September record of $3.83, set in 2023, putting the month on track for a new record.
The distinction is between the average for September and the price on a particular day. The month had not ended when AAA issued its report.
California was the most expensive state in Thursday’s comparison, averaging $6.23 for regular gasoline. Texas was the least expensive at $3.95. New York was absent from both the report’s 10 most expensive and 10 least expensive state lists.
Gasoline supplies fall as demand edges higher
AAA cited Energy Information Administration figures showing gasoline demand increasing from 8.79 million barrels per day to 8.84 million.
Domestic gasoline inventories declined from 207.7 million barrels to 206 million, while production slipped from 9.64 million barrels per day to 9.59 million.
Crude oil inventories moved in the opposite direction, increasing by 3 million barrels to 426.4 million — approximately 2% above the five-year average.
At Wednesday’s trading close, West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.64 to $92.16 per barrel, AAA reported.
The figures describe different parts of the fuel market: crude oil inventories increased even as finished gasoline supplies declined.
Diesel approaches New York’s record
New York diesel averaged $6.52 a gallon Saturday, compared with $3.90 a year earlier. That was about 2 cents below AAA’s statewide record of $6.5415, set May 19, 2022.
Rochester’s diesel average reached $6.4069, a record for that metropolitan area. Ithaca averaged $6.45, while Binghamton averaged $6.55.
Meanwhile, AAA’s Thursday report said the national average price at public electric vehicle charging stations held steady at 42 cents per kilowatt-hour. That figure covers public charging, rather than electricity purchased for charging at home.
Drivers can compare gasoline and public charging prices along a planned route using AAA’s TripTik travel planner.
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