Drivers in the Buffalo area are now paying slightly less for gas than they did just a week ago. According to a GasBuddy survey, the average price per gallon in the Queen City is 1.1 cents cheaper.
It now stands at $2.61 per gallon.
But nationally, gas prices are up about 2.5 cents per gallon, increasing to $2.54.
"Gas prices remained mostly in check over the last week, yet the national average pushed higher as seasonal factors continue to weigh on the market, led by jumps at the pump in some Great Lakes states over the weekend," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.
The average price is about 1.9 cents per gallon lower than this time last month. Exactly one year ago, however, drivers were paying about 22.4 cents less for a gallon of gas in Buffalo.
Even areas near Buffalo are seeing slight increases in price at the pump. Rochester is up 1.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.63. Syracuse went up a full two cents to $2.54. But Erie stayed flat at $2.75 per gallon on average. Experts say the prices will likely keep increasing as the weather warms up.
"The national average now stands at its highest level in over a month and is likely to continue moving higher in the weeks ahead as demand continues to recover from the winter blues and the transition to summer gasoline kicks into high gear," DeHaan said. "Overall, gas prices this spring will come in some 10-25% higher than a year ago, removing billions of dollars from other areas of the economy that will instead be funneled to the pump."
