Gas reaches record highs

Since Monday’s record-high average of $3.073 a gallon, the price has continued to rise, breaking the record each day. On Thursday, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, average price per gallon was $3.114. The daily survey looks at 85,000 service stations across the country.

Since the beginning of the year, gas has gone up nearly 50 cents. Stigberg notes the increase is likely to continue over the next 60 days, possibly nearing $3.25; however, he points out it is difficult to predict past the 60-day mark. The highest recorded gas prices in the Capital Region, $3.39, occurred on Sept. 7, 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Unfortunately, Stigberg notes, New York’s gas prices tend to be a bit higher than the rest of the nation, as New York is one of the few states that puts a tax on gas. Right now, however, several states out west are skewing the normal trends, surpassing the $4 mark.

Yet the latest prices are not stopping people from driving, between commuting and the impending holiday weekend.

“We expect record numbers of road travelers this Memorial Day Weekend,” said Stigberg. “High gas prices do not stop people from traveling. They will pay the high price of gas and try to save elsewhere, less expensive restaurants and hotels, for example. Others may not drive as far, driving to the New Jersey shore instead of Myrtle Beach.”

While it is difficult to avoid driving completely, there are some things that can be done to help keep costs down, Stigberg notes.

• Make sure your tire pressure is correct for your tires.

• Keep your car well maintained – make sure everything is running properly.

• Slow down, accelerate more slowly.

• Lighten the load in your car, take out anything extraneous in your trunk.

• Be conscious of your schedule, try and consolidate errands so you aren’t making multiple trips when you could just do it in one trip.

• If you’re looking to purchase a new vehicle, be sure to look for one that is more fuel efficient.