Posted at: 11/13/2009 11:19 PM | WHEC.com
Updated at: 11/14/2009 9:02 AM
By: Linzi Sheldon

Gas prices near $3 a gallon

We're paying more at the pump-- again!

Drivers aren't happy...as gas prices get close to three dollars a gallon.

"They're creeping back up to where they were before," driver Tracey Easterly said. "It's a little painful."

Investors sent oil prices to their lowest price in a month--but the price at the pump is much higher than it was a year ago.

The question is why?

One station in Greece is selling regular unleaded at $2.95 a gallon and AAA says pump prices remain well above what they were last year..

The average in Rochester is $2.86 a gallon, about thirty cents higher than last year's prices.

At the Mobil in Greece, Easterly couldn't ignore the numbers on the pump.

"Fifty four dollars," she said. "A little painful."

"Two ninety-five, three oh five, three fifteen," driver Eddie Avies said. "That's ridiculous."

According to AAA, crude oil prices reached their peak in October, which affected the price at the pump.

But there are signs of hope.

In Henrietta earlier on Friday, drivers were paying almost 30 cents less.

"Thirty cents a gallon for you know, ten gallons, eleven gallons, twelve, for SUVs even more-- it really does add up," driver Adam Ramey said.

Dozens of other people lined up to pay $2.64 at the Henrietta Kwik Fill. Some were shocked that anyone would pay more.

"The prices are ridiculous, most places," Danette Johnson said. "If they have the money, they can afford it, then-- they're lucky. I can't."

But back at the Mobil, drivers say they're not making the trip across the city.

"It wouldn't make sense," driver John Chandler said. "By the time I get over there, it'd be the same price as here, you know."

"Not much you can do about it," Easterly said. "You have to drive, so they kind of have you."

Experts say the price of gas isn't just about supply and demand; you have to figure in time of the year, New York state taxes, and the strength of the U.S. dollar.

AAA says it looks like prices are starting to level out Rochester, so there's no need to worry about any big jumps in price anytime soon.