Mid-Hudson gas prices creep up by few cents

Gasoline prices rose last week in the Mid-Hudson Valley, but the statewide average held steady for the second week in a row, GasBuddy.com reported Monday.

Local averages Monday morning, according to GasBuddy,

were $2.10 per gallon in Ulster County, up 2 cents from a week earlier; $2.22 in Dutchess County, up 4 cents; and $2.21 in Greene County, up 2 cents.

The New York state average Monday was $2.18 per gallon, unchanged from a week earlier and now steady for two consecutive weeks, GasBuddy reported. The national average rose 4.3 cents per gallon, to $2.02.

“It’s no surprise that gasoline prices [nationwide] have increased for the sixth straight week as gasoline demand has hit its highest level since early March,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

De Haan also cited “OPEC extending its large oil production cuts until at least July.” Production cuts typically cause crude and gasoline prices to rise.

“For now, motorists will likely continue to see gas prices rising for the weeks ahead,” he said.

New York state’s average gas price Monday was 3.7 cents per gallon higher than a month ago but still a whopping 70.3 cents lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy. The national average Monday was 19.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago but 72.5 cents lower than a year ago.

Over the past five years, the average gasoline price on June 8 in New York state has been: $2.88 per gallon in 2019, $3.06 in 2018, $2.49 in 2017, $2.44 in 2016 and $2.88 in 2015.

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