Gas prices continue to fall as summer travel comes to a close

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — With Labor Day gone and the summer travel season coming to a close, the price of gasoline continues to drop from the historic highs seen in June.

As of Tuesday, the national average price for a gallon of gas is $3.77, which is 7 cents less than it was one week ago and 31 cents cheaper than it was a month ago, but still 59 cents more than it was a year ago, according to AAA.

The continued drop in gas prices observed over the past two-plus months has been attributed, in part, to residents making a conscious effort to alter their driving behavior, with a recent survey from AAA finding that nearly two-thirds of Americans have changed their driving habits since March in response to high gas prices, which peaked at a record $5.01 per gallon earlier this summer.

Fuel experts say the tame start to this year’s hurricane season has helped keep prices down so far, but cautioned that could change.

“According to weather analysts, it’s the first time in 25 years that a named Atlantic storm did not develop in August. That’s the good news,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “But we still have another month of peak hurricane season, and these storms can affect gas prices by disrupting oil production and refining.”

In New York, the average price for a gallon of gas is currently $4, which is 12 cents lower than it was a week ago and 44 cents cheaper than it was a month ago, but still 73 cents higher than it was a year ago, according to AAA data.

For drivers in the Big Apple, prices are slightly lower, currently sitting at $3.96 per gallon.

In New York City, the average price for a gallon of gas is currently $3.96, which is 11 cents lower than it was a week ago and 47 cents cheaper than it was a month ago, but still 62 cents higher than it was a year ago, according to data.

New York’s gas prices remain well-above the national average despite drivers across the state paying at least 16 cents less per gallon of gas thanks to the state’s suspension of certain taxes on motor and diesel motor fuel, which took effect on June 1 and will remain in place through the end of the year.