AAA: New York Gas Average Falls To $4.38 As Prices Remain High

New York’s average price for a gallon of gasoline fell four cents over the past week to $4.38 on Oct. 26, but prices remained unusually high for the season, according to AAA Western and Central New York.

The national average was $4.28, down one cent from Oct. 19. A year earlier, the national average was $3.05 and the New York average was $3.11.

Regional gasoline prices

AAA reported the following averages on Oct. 26, with changes from Oct. 19:

• Batavia: $4.34, down 3 cents.
• Buffalo: $4.35, down 2 cents.
• Elmira: $4.23, down 6 cents.
• Ithaca: $4.39, down 1 cent.
• Rochester: $4.38, down 1 cent.
• Rome: $4.43, down 2 cents.
• Syracuse: $4.32, down 1 cent.
• Watertown: $4.43, down 4 cents.

AAA said northern states had begun transitioning to winter-blend gasoline, which costs less to produce and typically lowers pump prices. However, the organization said drivers had seen little relief as crude oil remained above $100 per barrel.

The national gasoline average had stayed above $4 per gallon since late July and was $1.23 higher than a year earlier, AAA reported. Although gasoline prices normally decline during the fall, the organization said oil-market volatility had pushed prices to seasonal record highs.

Crude oil was trading between $101 and $115 per barrel amid instability in the Strait of Hormuz, according to AAA’s Oct. 26 release. The organization said October was on track to become the most expensive October on record for gasoline, following record-setting highs in August and September.

AAA cited Energy Information Administration data showing gasoline demand and production rising while overall supply declined slightly.

Diesel and electric vehicle charging

The national diesel average was $6.34 per gallon, up 3 cents from the previous week and up from $3.66 a year earlier. New York’s diesel average was $6.49, down 1 cent from the previous week and up from $3.87 a year earlier.

AAA reported a national average of 42 cents per kilowatt-hour for Level 2 commercial electricity at public electric vehicle charging stations. New York’s rate was 40 cents, and the state had 21,328 chargers.

An estimated 1.2 million AAA members live in households with one or more electric vehicles, the organization said. AAA said its 2026 AAA Car Guide showed renewed interest in electric vehicles amid high pump prices.

Fuel-saving tips

AAA recommends mapping routes, avoiding peak traffic periods such as rush hour, combining errands into one trip and using cruise control when possible. Drivers should also keep tires at the vehicle’s recommended pressure and remove unnecessary, bulky items, since heavier vehicles require more fuel to accelerate.

Motorists can compare pump prices using the AAA Mobile App for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app locates the lowest fuel prices based on a user’s location. Gasoline prices, related news and fuel-saving tips are also available at AAA’s gas prices website.