Gas prices maintain downward trajectory

The average retail gasoline price in New York state fell 3.3 cents per gallon last week, settling at $2.85 on Sunday, according to GasBuddy.com.

In the Mid-Hudson Valley, according to GasBuddy, average prices Monday afternoon were $2.73 per gallon in Ulster County (down 2 cents from a week earlier), $2.89 in Dutchess County (down 3 cents), $2.83 in Greene County (down a penny) and $2.78 in Columbia County (down 11 cents).

The national average Sunday was $2.53 per gallon, down 7.8 cents from a week earlier.

Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said some stations in the U.S. are selling gas for below $2 per gallon.

“The $1.99 club has seen its membership swell in the last week with the number of states with stations priced at that level or lower spiking to 18,” DeHaan said. “Texas, New York, Missouri, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Michigan, Virginia, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee and Illinois all have at least one station at $1.99 or less, and the good news is it won’t end there.

“Oil prices have seen another weekly rout, with [benchmark] West Texas intermediate crude oil shedding over $6 per barrel, or some 14 percent, to close the week at a mere $50 per barrel,” he said. “While many may be a skeptic of the White House taking some credit, the Trump administration’s reluctance to punish Saudi Arabia for its role in the murder of [journalist] Jamal Khashoggi is likely leading Saudi Arabia to push against large cuts

in crude oil production, fearing potential fallout from Trump. In the week ahead, motorists in most states will likely see further drops, saving the country $125 million a day versus prices in early October.”

New York state’s average gas prise Sunday was 11.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago but still 17.2 cents higher than a year ago. The national average has dropped 29.4 cents per gallon during the last month and stands just 3.4 cents higher than a year ago.

Average gasoline prices on Nov. 26 in New York state have ranged widely over the last five years: $2.68 per gallon in 2017, $2.36 in 2016, $2.31 in 2015, $3.17 in 2014 and $3.60 per gallon in 2013.

For live fuel price averages, go to fuelinsights.gasbuddy.com.