ON-AIR SEGMENT: AAA Spokesperson Patti Artessa gives latest gas price report

Gas prices are trending downward at the national level, but it seems that pump prices within our local region have remained stubborn and stagnant when compared to other nearby regions.

As of this publication, the national average price for a gallon of fuel in the U.S. was $3.16, which is down from almost being $3.70 a-year-ago now. 

According to GasBuddy, pump prices between Boonville and Lowville, NY regions remain around the $3.30 range.

Meanwhile, if you take a look in the cities of Syracuse and Watertown, NY, gas prices are ranging as low as $2.89 at select establishments. 

Similar price ranges are being reported down in the cities of Rome and Utica, NY, too.

As usual, the price gap is due to the difference in competition, according to AAA Regional Director of Public and Government Affairs, Patti Artessa. 

"You guys (*referring to the general North Country area*) are a lot higher than we are even in Utica, but Utica is even higher than what it is in Syracuse," Artessa explained.

"And the reason for that is we don't have the demand or the competition." 

Currently, New York's average gas price rings in just shy of $3.10. Last-year at this time, it was $3.61. 

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose $1.14 to settle at $62.47 a barrel.

The EIA reports that crude oil inventories increased by 0.5 million barrels from the previous week, the AAA says. At 442.9 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Amidst the latest trade tension across the globe, Artessa says it looks promising for Americans to feel some relief in their wallets when topping their tanks off for the upcoming summer driving season.

For context, fuel prices typically go up as we merge from spring and into summer, when demand is at a high.

Be sure to listen to our latest on-air segment with Patti Artessa for more details:

AAA Fuel Pump image.