Watertown Gas Hits $4.55 as National Average Nears $4.50
Diesel costs jumped 28 cents nationally while crude oil hovers at $100 per barrel due to Strait of Hormuz tensions.
Key points
- Watertown gas prices reached $4.55 per gallon, the highest in the Western New York region.
- National diesel averages hit a record $6.51, up 28 cents from the previous week.
- Crude oil prices average $100 per barrel due to continued uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz.
Watertown drivers face the highest regional price at $4.55 per gallon this week. The national average rose 16 cents to $4.47, signaling a broad increase in fuel costs.
AAA data shows the New York State average climbed 9 cents to $4.48. This trajectory places most regional markets within striking distance of the four-fifty threshold.
Regional prices climb across Western New York
Syracuse recorded the second-highest increase with a 13-cent jump to $4.39. Rome followed closely with an 11-cent rise to $4.46, reflecting consistent upward pressure.
Buffalo and Batavia both settled at $4.42, up 10 and 11 cents respectively. Ithaca reached $4.43 while Rochester hit $4.42, confirming a unified market trend.
Crude oil uncertainty drives diesel spikes
Crude oil currently averages $100 per barrel amid ongoing Strait of Hormuz instability. This geopolitical risk directly inflates wholesale costs for retailers nationwide.
National diesel prices hit a record high of $6.51, a 28-cent weekly increase. New York diesel costs rose 32 cents to $6.49, marking a $2.58 yearly gain.
Drivers advised to minimize fuel consumption
AAA recommends motorists avoid peak traffic hours to reduce idle engine time. Combining errands and mapping efficient routes can help offset these rising expenses.
