BUFFALO, N.Y. — Drivers will continue to shell out more money at the pump. Nationwide gas price took a significant jump from where they were last week.
AAA reports that the national average price of gas per gallon increased by seven cents to $3.44. This is just two cents shy of being a dollar more than one year ago.
Here in Western New York, drivers are continuing to see prices go up.
In Buffalo, AAA reports the average price of gas has increased four cents since last week, up to $3.53.
New York State also saw the average price of gas go up by four cents, now reaching $3.59 per gallon. One year ago the average price of gas was $2.56, according to AAA.
The average price of gas in Batavia has gone up one cent since last week, reaching $3.52 a gallon. Prices in Rochester are up three cents to $3.58, according to AAA.
AAA reports that the increase in prices is because of rising crude oil prices. Currently crude oil prices are reaching $90 a barrel.
The elevated cost is because of tension between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is a member of OPEC+, and any sanctions against their actions towards Ukraine could cause them to withhold crude oil.
The US stock of gasoline has grown, according to to the Energy Information Administration and demand has recently dropped. While this usually leads to a drop in prices, it is not enough to counteract the high crude oil prices.
AAA says drivers can conserve fuel by mapping their routes, avoiding peak traffic times, using cruise control when possible and combining errands into one trip.
