New York gas prices hit record high. How Utica compares and where to find the cheapest gas

H. Rose Schneider, Observer-Dispatch
·2 min read
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As of Friday morning, the New York State average cost of a gallon of gas was $5.02, the highest ever recorded, according to AAA.

Averages in the Utica area stayed just below that, if only slightly, at $4.97 a gallon. It's also a record high for the Utica area, and 20 cents higher than last week's average of $4.77.

Pain at the pump: Utica area gas prices jump 10 cents

Another record month for inflation: New level driven by gas, grocery prices and high rent

The nationwide average for gas also broke records Friday morning at $4.99 a gallon, according to AAA. The averages both nationwide, state and locally are around $2 higher than when prices hovered around $3 a gallon a year ago.

On Thursday, as AAA reported the national average had jumped 11 cents within three days, the organization noted an increased demand for gasoline as drivers fueled up for the summer. At the same time, domestic gasoline stocks decreased, a combination leading to rising prices at the pump that likely will remain for the near future, according to AAA.

New York state gas tax suspended

Gas prices are climbing even as a suspension of the New York state gas tax went into effect June 1. The Oneida Indian Nation announced May 31 it would be doing the same for its Maple Leaf Markets and SavOn stores, which have locations in Madison and Oneida counties.

The state's petroleum business tax and the motor fuel tax collected at the pump amount to a little more than 16 cents per gallon.

The Oneida County Board of Legislators passed a similar gas tax cap in April, which was scheduled to go into effect June 1.

County gas tax: Oneida County passes resolution to cap sales tax at the pump. What to know

Oneida Nation gas tax: Oneida Nation suspends tax at Maple Leaf Market, SavOn stores

A sale is shown on a gas tank Monday at a Kum & Go in Coralville. What 13 gallons of gasoline will cost you at $1.84 per gallon at Kum & Go gas station along First Avenue in Coralville on Monday, September 24, 2012. Americans for Prosperity, a group founded by the wealthy Koch brothers, offered $1.84 gas to the first 150 customers; the same price before President Barack Obama took office.

How do Utica gas prices compare?

Utica's gas prices hovered around similar averages in Central New York and the Finger Lakes region such as Binghamton, Ithaca, Syracuse and Rochester. Prices have not yet jumped to downstate averages such as $5.13 in White Plains, $5.03 in Long Island or $5.17 in New York City.

Here's how Upstate metro areas compared:

  • Albany: $4.95

  • Binghamton: $4.98

  • Buffalo: $4.90

  • Ithaca: $4.96

  • Rochester: $4.97

  • Syracuse: $4.95

  • Watertown: $4.95

By county, here's how the Mohawk Valley compared:

  • Oneida County: $4.97

  • Herkimer County: $4.99

  • Madison County: $4.96

  • Oswego County: $4.96

  • Lewis County: $4.96

  • Otsego County: $4.99

How to find the cheapest gas

Where can you go to fill up for a summer trip with this pain at the pump? It's recommended to check apps and websites such as GasBuddy, Gas Guru, the AAA Mobile App and Waze. These can be used to locate the lowest gas prices based on location.

H. Rose Schneider covers public safety, breaking and trending news for the Observer-Dispatch. Email Rose at hschneider@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: NY average gas prices top $5. How Utica and the Mohawk Valley compare