Gasoline prices fall in much of Mid-Hudson Valley

Gasoline prices fell last week in New York state and most of the Mid-Hudson Valley, but the national average ticked upward, according to GasBuddy.com.

Locally, according to GasBuddy, average prices midday Monday were $2.78 per gallon in Ulster County (up 2 cents from a week earlier), $2.89 in Dutchess County (down 2 cents), $2.79 in Greene County (down 3 cents) and $2.78 in Columbia County (down 6 cents).

The statewide average Monday was $2.85 per gallon, down 0.8 cents from a week earlier, GasBuddy reported. The national average was $2.75 per gallon, up 2.3 cents.

“For the second straight week, the national average price of gasoline has moved higher, following energy market moves from the last few weeks as Iran remains a concern ... as well as OPEC extending producing cuts and recent drawdowns in U.S. oil inventories,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

DeHaan said he expects “gradual increases” in gas prices this week but possible relief in the weeks that follow.

New York state’s average gas price Monday was 3.2 cents per gallon lower than a month earlier and 14.8 cents lower than a year ago. The national average Monday was 0.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 10.9 cents lower than a year ago.

Average gasoline prices on July 8 in New York have ranged widely over the last five years: $3 per gallon in 2018, $2.41 in 2017, $2.40 in 2016, $2.94 in 2015 and $3.92 in 2014.

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