Rising gasoline prices slowed down over the past week. The AAA says the statewide average dropped a penny down to $2.53 a gallon for regular unleaded. A year ago it was $2.36.
The regional averages are also down a little. Rochester fell by a cent to an average $2.46 a gallon. Buffalo is down a cent at $2.47 and Syracuse also dropped a cent at $2.45.
The Auto Club says gas inventories caught up with supply, putting the lid on the sudden price increases. U.S. refineries are continuing to run at high production rates and gasoline imports are increasing, so despite spring road trips inventories are about the same as they were a year ago.
The Oil Price Information Service expects price will fall for the next two weeks, then turn upwards again as the summer driving season gets closer.