Gasoline prices up slightly in Mid-Hudson, state

Gasoline prices rose slightly in the Mid-Hudson Valley and the state, GasBuddy.com reported Monday.

Local averages Monday morning, according to GasBuddy, were $2.15 per gallon in Ulster County, up two cents from a week earlier; $2.29 in Dutchess County, up a cent; and $2.33 in Greene County, unchanged.

The New York state average Monday was $2.27 per gallon, up 1.5 cents from a week earlier, GasBuddy reported. The national average dropped 2 cents per gallon, to $2.18.

“Similar to watching the Cubs game last night with a quiet and empty stadium, gasoline prices have been quiet last week as markets await the next chapter in the coronavirus situation,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

“As cases continue to rise, the likelihood rises that gas prices will stabilize and demand may continue to see small decreases, which is the name of the game behind gas prices. I wouldn’t expect much movement until we either see more states being impacted again or we see cases start to drop, either one would provide clarity to where we stand now. For now, motorists are still ‘stuck’ with the lowest summer gas prices in 16 years.”

New York state’s average gas price Monday was 6.7 cents per gallon higher than a month ago but still 58.9 cents lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy. The national average Monday was 5.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago but 58.4 cents lower than a year ago.

Over the past five years, the average gasoline price on July 20 in New York state has been: $2.86 per gallon in 2019, $2.99 in 2018, $2.42 in 2017, $2.36 in 2016 and $2.90 in 2015.