Long Island gas prices rise 47% from a year ago ahead of summer travel season

Fueling up for summer road trips could cost more this year than last.

Long Island drivers are paying about 47% more for gasoline than they were around this time last year. The average price of a gallon of gas on Long Island was $4.49 on Thursday, compared with $3.05 a year ago, according to AAA data compiled by Newsday’s library. 

Gas prices typically rise during the summer travel season as demand increases. But this year’s surge has also been driven by the war with Iran, which has pushed oil prices higher and added pressure at the pump.

“It wasn’t a continuous increase,” said Robert Sinclair Jr., senior manager of public affairs for AAA Northeast. “Feb. 28, we were at $2.86, and then things just went crazy.”

For short trips, driving can be less expensive than flying. But as summer travel season begins, prices remain near levels many drivers consider financially painful. In a survey conducted after the gas-price spike of 2022, AAA found that a majority of drivers said gasoline prices of $4 per gallon or higher would force them to change spending habits, drive less or delay purchases, Sinclair said.

Gas prices have fallen in recent days, but are still high relative to the past several years, according to AAA. And, in a statement late last month, AAA said that “the fragile situation” in Iran could instigate a spike in oil prices. The association said prices would “likely remain elevated as the busy summer driving season gets underway.”

With Long Island’s average gas price above the national average of $4.24 on Thursday, many local drivers are still feeling pain at the pump and looking for ways to cut fuel costs.

At a Mobil gas station in Deer Park, Dix Hills resident Susan Fagan said rising prices have made her more deliberate about when and where she fills up.

“I notice,” she said of gas prices. “They’re too high.”

Fagan recently downloaded an Exxon Mobil rewards app and regularly compares prices before buying gas.

“I try to buy when the price is down,” she said.

Fagan’s approach reflects what many motorists are doing as summer travel season heats up: looking for small ways to stretch every gallon and reduce fuel costs.

Maintenance and driving style matter

For motorists looking to maximize mileage and cut costs, experts recommend paying attention to both vehicle maintenance and driving habits.

Fuel economy is influenced by a range of factors, said Chris Kudlek, owner of Arthur’s Auto Repair in Patchogue.

One of the simplest is tire pressure.

If tires are underinflated, a vehicle has to work harder to move down the road, reducing fuel economy, Sinclair said. The issue can be especially pronounced in electric vehicles because of the added weight of their batteries.

“Proper tire inflation pressure is critical to good fuel economy,” Sinclair said.

A properly maintained vehicle also tends to burn fuel more efficiently, he added, cautioning drivers against ignoring warning lights or other signs that a vehicle needs servicing.

To a lesser extent, clean air filters and regular oil changes can also help improve fuel economy. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow to the engine, while fresh oil reduces friction.

Kudlek and Sinclair also recommend removing unnecessary heavy items from vehicles whenever possible, since extra weight lowers fuel economy.

How you drive can affect fuel economy, too.

“The type of driving you’re doing. Instead of hitting the gas pedal all the time, can you coast into that light?” Sinclair said.

Speed matters, too.

“The faster you go on a highway, the more wind resistance that you face, making the engine work harder and burn more gasoline,” Sinclair said.

The “sweet spot” for fuel economy is generally between 50 and 55 miles per hour, he said.

Open windows can also reduce efficiency by increasing wind resistance.

Gentle acceleration conserves more fuel than sudden bursts of speed.

“These aggressive drivers that we’re seeing, particularly on local streets, will be burning up a lot more gasoline,” Sinclair said.

When, where and how to fill up

Though high gas prices may make drivers hesitate to fill up, experts said timing and location can make a difference.

As Newsday previously reported, Sunday is typically the cheapest day of the week to buy gasoline, while prices tend to be higher from Wednesday through Friday. Drivers can often save 4 to 9 cents per gallon by filling up earlier in the week, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

Pump prices also tend to be lower at independent stations, locations away from major thoroughfares and warehouse clubs such as Costco and BJ’s Wholesale, which offer discounted fuel to members.

Stations in affluent neighborhoods and along highways are often more expensive, Sinclair said.

Cooler temperatures can provide a slight advantage because gasoline is denser when temperatures are lower.

“Filling up when it’s cool is better,” he said. “You get slightly more gasoline when it’s real, real cold and you fill up.”

Avoid filling up while a station is receiving a fuel delivery, Sinclair said.

“If you see that big truck at the gas station and its hoses are connected to the ground, pass them buy,” Sinclair said, because petroleum products contain sediment that can be stirred up during deliveries and potentially make its way into vehicle fuel systems hurt affect fuel economy.

Drivers should also avoid routinely running their tanks near empty before filling up, Sinclair said.

“Do not drive around consistently on E,” he said. “That can lead to engine problems.”

The state Division of Consumer Protection also recommends checking that the price displayed on a station’s sign matches the price shown on the pump and watching for any price changes while fueling.

Drivers can often save several cents per gallon by paying cash rather than using a credit card, the agency says.