WNY gas prices rise by an average of 7 cents in a week

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — If you’ve filled your gas tank in the last week, you might have noticed a heftier price tag. Experts from the American Automobile Association (AAA) estimate that already-high gas prices have jumped more than seven cents in the last week, and it’s been a long time since we’ve seen prices this high.

"We do know that we are seeing prices that we haven’t seen in almost seven years," said AAA of Western New York Communications Specialist April Engram.

According to AAA, a year ago the average price of gas was $2.19 per gallon. Now, Western New York is averaging between $3.27 and $3.36 per gallon.

News10NBC’s Emily Putnam: "Why do we continue to see gas prices go up?"

Engram: "You know, the biggest factor is the price for crude oil. Right now, it keeps climbing. We’re looking at around $75 a barrel last week, this week we’re looking at $80."

The spike in prices is also connected to the nationwide labor shortage.

"There’s a shortage of drivers just to deliver the necessary fuel to certain parts of the country,” said Engram. “All of these sort of puzzle pieces coming together is leading to higher prices for us in New York State."

Buffalo and Rochester are up to eight cents a gallon from last week. Syracuse is up 10 cents per gallon. Normally at this time of year, gas prices typically decrease as car travel decreases.

"But this year has been anything but normal when it comes to travel,” Engram said. “After the height of the pandemic if you will, travel, you know, began picking up again and there’s more people on the roads and now there’s a sharp demand for gasoline."