Gasoline prices steady; jump could be coming

Average gasoline prices were largely unchanged last week in the Mid-Hudson Valley, New York state and the nation, according to GasBuddy.com, but an industry analyst expects increases as the spring proceeds.

Local averages Monday morning, according to GasBuddy, were $2.82 per gallon in Ulster County, down a penny from a week earlier; $2.94 in Dutchess County, up 2 cents; $2.89 in Greene County, down 3 cents; and $2.85 in Columbia County, unchanged.

The New York state average Monday was $2.90 per gallon, down 0.7 cents from a week earlier, while the national average was $2.86, down 0.4 cents, GasBuddy reported.

“Last week was a mixed bag for consumers at the pump as gas prices in half of states rose, while the other half saw declines, with March closing like a lamb after starting out like a lion,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

“U.S. gasoline demand rose for the sixth straight week as consumers hit the road for Easter, and with demand growth likely to remain robust, we may see a second attempt at a run at a national average of $3 per gallon in the months ahead,” De Haan said. “While the last few weeks have seen gas prices hold mostly steady, it’s not likely to last forever, especially as Americans increasingly get outside as warmer temperatures return.”

New York state’s average gasoline price Monday was 8.5 cents higher than a month earlier and 60.6 cents higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy. The national average was 9.9 cents higher than a month ago and 95.5 cents higher than a year ago.

Over the past five years, the average gasoline prices on April 5 in New York state have been: $2.29 per gallon in 2020; $2.74 in 2019, $2.75 in 2018, $2.45 in 2017 and $2.16 in 2016.