For the first week since November, gas prices across the country have fallen.
In Albany, prices dropped 2.4 cents in the past week, averaging $2.43 a gallon on Sunday, Jan. 15, according to GasBuddy, a web-based, crowd-sourcing company that tracks gas prices.
Nationally, the price per gallon dropped 2.5 cents to an average of $2.34 according to GasBuddy.
Despite the drop, prices in Albany are still 33.5 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, and 10.5 cents per gallon a month ago.
The national average has increased 10.3 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 43 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy, said the downward trend is common for this time of year as refiners build inventories in preparation for the start of the refinery maintenance season, and when demand is traditionally at it’s lowest.
He warned the trend will probably not last long.
“After the sweetness of Valentine’s Day roses and chocolates is gone, they will be in store for a jump at the pump as maintenance season begins and the long transition to summer gasoline becomes a pinch point, leading to gas prices that will mostly trend higher for two to three months,” he said in a statement.
Over the last five years, on Jan. 16, the average for a gallon of gas has ranged widely in Albany. In 2012, it was $3.62 a gallon, in 2013 it was $3.63, in 2014 it was $3.60, in 2015 it was $2.51 and last year it was $2.10.
For live fuel price averages, visit http://FuelInsights.GasBuddy.com.