Gasoline prices little changed in past week

Gasoline prices held largely steady last week in the Mid-Hudson Valley and New York state, though the national average rose slightly, GasBuddy.com said Monday.

Local averages Monday morning were $2.49 per gallon in Ulster County, down a penny from a week earlier; $2.65 in Dutchess County, also down a penny; and $2.68 in Greene County, up 1 cent.

The statewide average Monday was $2.63 per gallon, unchanged from a week earlier, GasBuddy reported. The national average rose 2.4 cents per gallon, to $2.47.

“With oil prices having pushed higher in recent weeks, we saw the national average price of gasoline increase for the second straight week. Yet with much unknown after a rocky weekend with the COVID-19 coronavirus spreading into new countries, we still could see the current uptick slow with more countries potentially locking down travel,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

Based on seasonal trends, “it’s nearly guaranteed that prices will be higher by April and May, but beyond that, the timing remains completely unknown, as does how the coronavirus will threaten overall gasoline demand,” DeHaan said.

New York state’s average gasoline price Monday was 8.6 cents per gallon lower than a month earlier but 11.6 cents higher than a year ago. The national average Monday was 6.4 cents per gallon lower than a month ago but 7.3 cents higher than a year ago.

Over the past five years, the average gasoline price on Feb. 24 in New York state has been: $2.52 per gallon in 2019, $2.72 in 2018, $2.45 in 2017, $1.94 in 2016 and $2.48 in 2015.

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