Gas prices rise locally, across state and nation

Average gasoline prices continued to climb last week in the Mid-Hudson Valley, New York state and the U.S., and further price hikes are likely, according to GasBuddy.com.

Local averages Monday morning, according to GasBuddy, were $2.43 in Ulster County, up 6 cents from a week earlier; $2.46 in Dutchess County, up 4 cents; $2.44 in Greene County, up a nickel; and $2.41 in Columbia County, a jump of 10 cents.

The New York state average Monday was $2.47 per gallon, up 5.2 cents from a week earlier, while the national average was $2.38, up 4.2 cents, GasBuddy reported.

“Gas prices have jumped to yet another multimonth high as crude oil prices rise amid perceived improvement in the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to pump prices up as demand shows renewed signs of recovery,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “In addition, with rumors swirling that President-elect Biden plans to cancel approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would cut off reliable Canadian oil to the U.S., oil prices may see additional pressure in the coming days.

“For now, the upward trend in gas prices may slow from the sharp rise in the last week, but motorists shouldn’t expect much of a break,” DeHaan said.

New York state’s average gasoline price Monday was 16.3 cents higher than a month earlier but still 25.4 cents lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy. The national average was 15.6 cents higher than a month ago but 17.4 cents lower than a year ago.

Over the past five years, the average gasoline prices on Jan. 18 in New York state have been: $2.72 per gallon in 2020; $2.55 in 2019, $2.69 in 2018, $2.53 in 2017 and $2.12 in 2016.