Little movement in gasoline prices amid virus uncertainty

The state and national average prices of gasoline rose slightly last week, while the Mid-Hudson Valley had a mix of advances and declines, GasBuddy. com reported Monday.

Local averages Monday morning, according to GasBuddy, were $2.13 per gallon in Ulster County, down a penny from a week earlier; $2.28 in Dutchess County, up a penny; and $2.33 in Greene County, up 4 cents.

The New York state average Monday was $2.25 per gallon, up 0.7 cents from a week earlier, GasBuddy reported. The national average rose 1.1 cents per gallon, to $2.19.

“Gasoline demand continues to struggle as of late, hitting some midsummer blues as coronavirus cases

continue to see upward movement in more states,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “But it hasn’t been a sharp enough drop to push gas prices lower. …

“For now, I continue to expect gas prices to move sideways,” De Haan said. “… Some will rise, some will fall, as we remain in a COVID-19 holding pattern.”

New York state’s average gas price Monday was 5.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago but still 62.4 cents lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy. The national average Monday was 8.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago but 60.8 cents lower than a year ago.

Over the past five years, the average gasoline price on July 13 in New York state has been: $2.87 per gallon in 2019, $3 in 2018, $2.41 in 2017, $2.38 in 2016 and $2.92 in 2015.

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