Rochester’s gas prices fell by 10 cents this week while national average rose
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Gas prices in Rochester have fallen by 10 cents or more for five straight weeks.
This week, Rochester’s average gas price fell to $3.81 per gallon, a 10-cent drop from the last week. The state average also fell by 10 cents this week, landing on $3.67 per gallon on Tuesday.
That’s a contrast from the national average, which increased this week after falling for 98 straight days according to AAA. National prices climbed up by 7 cents between last and this Tuesday, making the national average $3.75 per gallon.
Overall, gas prices in Rochester have fallen by $0.47 in the course of four weeks. Prices fell by 10 cents during the first week in September, 11 cents the next week, 12 cents the week after that, and now 10 cents for the final week of the month.
However, Rochester’s prices are still $0.53 higher than a year ago.
New York State’s average prices fell by nearly $0.50 per gallon this month, which is a faster drop than the national average. That’s different from July and August, when the national average dropped quicker than the statewide average.
The city in western New York where gas prices are the lowest is Elmira. After a 9-cent drop this week, prices fell to $3.60. Batavia has the highest gas prices at $3.85.
Rochester ranked near the top for most expensive gas in western New York this week. Prices are 7 cents lower in Syracuse and 2 cents lower in Buffalo.
The cheapest gas in Rochester was $3.25 per gallon on Sunday while the most expensive was 94 cents higher, found a GasBuddy’s survey. You can find the cheapest local stations through a link to GasBuddy.
In October, the state and Monroe County gas tax relief will enter its fourth month. The tax relief has aimed to save consumers $0.28 per gallon at the pump since June 1.
News10NBC reported on a study that suggests that, while consumers benefited initially from the New York State gas tax relief, middlemen and retailers eventually absorbed the gas tax. That led to less savings for consumers.
RELATED: So where did the gas tax savings go? The data may have the answers
Gas prices have skyrocketed over the past year because of rapid recovery from the pandemic increased the demand so high that supply couldn’t keep up. Europe’s restrictions on importing Russian oil also scrambled world oil prices, affecting the U.S. even though the U.S. imports very little Russian oil.
The national average for gas prices has fallen for 14 straight weeks, which is on pace for the longest downward streak since 2015.
You can explore gas price trends on the website for AAA.