Gas Prices Drop Nationally as October Arrives
BUFFALO, NY — The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $4.36, down 11 cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.13. The New York State average is $4.47, down one cent from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.18.
AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:
• Batavia – $4.42 (no change from last Monday)
• Buffalo – $4.41 (down one cent from last Monday)
• Elmira – $4.37 (up one cent from last Monday)
• Ithaca – $4.43 (down one cent from last Monday)
• Rochester – $4.42 (down one cent from last Monday)
• Rome – $4.46 (no change from last Monday)
• Syracuse – $4.37 (down one cent from last Monday)
• Watertown – $4.54 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
After a record-setting September, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is down 11 cents this week as October arrives. Oil prices are down to $89 to $100 per barrel this morning compared to $94 to $115 last week. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that demand is also down, along with production and supply. Typically, gas prices drop at this time of year as demand drops and refineries switch over to cheaper winter blend fuel. However, ongoing volatility in the Strait of Hormuz could continue to put upward pressure on prices at the pump.
Diesel prices are down this morning with the national average at $6.32, down 20 cents from last week. Prices are up from $3.68 one year ago. In New York, the average diesel price is $6.51 per gallon, no change from last week. A year ago, New York drivers were paying an average of $3.89 per gallon.
When it comes to EV charging, the national average for L2 commercial electricity remains steady. Today’s national average per kilowatt-hour of electricity at a public EV charging station is 41 cents. New York’s rate is 40 cents. The state is home to 21,141 chargers. An estimated 1.2 million AAA members live in households with one or more electric vehicles. The 2026 AAA Car Guide shows renewed interest in electric vehicles amid high pump prices.
To conserve fuel, motorists should map routes, avoid peak traffic times like rush hour, and combine errands into one trip while using cruise control when possible. Drivers should also make sure tire pressure is at the vehicle’s recommended level for the best gas mileage, while removing any unnecessary and bulky items from the car, since it takes more fuel to accelerate a heavy vehicle. Motorists can benefit from comparing pump prices before filling up with the AAA Mobile App for iPhone, iPad, and Android.
AAA members can save on gas at Love’s Travel Stops or by joining the Fuel Rewards at Shell program. Learn more about those discounts here. Motorists can locate gas prices across the country and stay up to date on news and fuel-saving tips at www.gasprices.AAA.com, while the AAA Mobile App locates the cheapest fuel prices based on a user’s location.
As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA Western and Central New York provides more than 850,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA WCNY has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com or www.NewsRoom.AAA.com or download our mobile app at www.AAA.com/Mobile.
