PLATTSBURGH — The nation’s average price of gasoline per gallon continued to decline for a fourth week, down 3.5 cents standing at $3.55 per gallon, and in New York state prices are down 2.1 cents and stood at $3.67 per gallon Monday.
According to GasBuddy data, gas prices in New York State are unchanged from a month ago and 5.9 cents higher than a year ago.
The national average is 12.0 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 2.2 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
“The news continues to be good for motorists ahead of Memorial Day, with gasoline prices again falling, making it four straight weeks of declines for the national average as we get closer to the start of the summer driving season,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said.
“The good news doesn’t necessarily end there, either. GasBuddy’s Summer Travel Forecast, coming out tomorrow, will also give motorists mostly good news for the rest of the summer, predicting that gas prices over the next few months will stay far under record levels and should continue trending lower as we get closer to July 4. While the Middle East, hurricane season, refinery maintenance and any other unexpected disruptions or weather remain wildcards, this summer is shaping up to be mostly favorable for drivers hitting the road.”
The 2024 Summer Travel Survey results and forecast for Memorial Day travel, conducted by GasBuddy, reveals a near-record number of Americans planning to road trip this summer as gas prices continue to decline ahead of the holiday weekend.
According to GasBuddy’s survey, 76 percent of Americans plan to take a road trip between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, up 18 percent from 2023. The average traveler has two road trips planned, with many venturing far, 49 percent expect to drive 5 or more hours to reach their destination.
GasBuddy estimates the national average will hold in the mid-$3 per gallon range for much of the summer, with potentially tens of thousands of stations falling below $3 per gallon throughout the next several months.
GasBuddy forecasts that gas prices will average $3.58 per gallon nationally between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
“It looks like it’ll be a busy start to the summer driving season, and while Americans gripe about the cost of gasoline, it doesn’t seem that too many are going to be deterred from hitting the road. Great news for those who are planning to travel: Motorists are likely to see more stations lowering prices to $2.99 per gallon or less as the summer wears on, and refiners ramp up output after finishing maintenance,” De Haan said.
“Hurricane season is a major wildcard for those hitting the road this summer, but absent a major storm in the Gulf, gas prices should not be much of a hindrance for those taking a road trip.”
According to GasBuddy demand data, US retail gasoline demand fell 1.3 percent during the week ending Saturday, May 18.
The most common price per gallon encountered by motorists remains unchanged from last week and stands at $3.49.
The top 10% of stations in the country average $5.05 per gallon, and the bottom 10% average $2.97 per gallon.
The states with the lowest average prices per gallon are Mississippi at $3.00, Oklahoma at $3.03 and Louisiana at $3.07.
California, Hawaii and Washington average the highest prices per gallon at $5.14, $4.73 and $4.54 respectively.
LOCAL PRICES
As of Tuesday, May 21 these are gas prices reported from around the North Country:
Plattsburgh:
Sam’s Club (Membership Required) — $3.39
Sunoco (599 NY3) — $3.39
Shell (Archie Bordeau Road) — $3.45
Buck’s Plaza — $3.48
Sunoco (Margaret Street) — $3.49
Shell (NY3) — $3.49
Champy’s Gas and Go — $3.49
Stewart’s Shops (Cornelia Street) — $3.49
Stewart’s Shops (US9) — $3.57
Mountain Mart #109 — $3.59
St Armand’s — $3.59
Sunoco (485 NY3) — $3.59
VP Racing Fuels (NY22) — $3.65
CITGO (US Avenue) — $3.79
Champlain:
Sunoco (Ridge Road) — $3.69
Irving — $3.69
Saranac Lake:
Mobil (Lake Flower Avenue) — $3.83
Stewart’s Shops (Bloomingdale Avenue) — $3.83
Ray Brook:
Sunoco — $3.83
Lake Placid:
Stewart’s Shops (Saranac Avenue) — $3.83
Rouses Point:
Stewart’s Shops (Lake Street) — $3.59
Dannemora:
Stewart’s Shops (Cook Street) — $3.58
Chazy:
Stewart’s Shops (US9) — $3.59
Peru:
Stewart’s Shops (Main Street) — $3.65