Gas Prices Hit Record High; Find Lowest Gas In Peekskill, Cortlandt

PEEKSKILL-CORTLANDT, NY — Peekskill and Cortlandt residents are getting squeezed hard at the pump as gas prices continue to set record highs in New York and across the United States.

The average price of gas in New York was about $5.03 per gallon on Monday, according to AAA. That's a 15-cent increase from just a week ago, and up 35 cents from a month ago.

In Westchester County, the average price for a gallon of gas is higher than the state average at about $5.20 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy, the cheapest gas in Cortlandt Manor is $4.89 at the Gulf station, 2098 E. Main St., and the Sinclair station, 2058 E. Main St. In Peekskill, the cheapest is $4.93 at the Coastal station, 600 Washington St.

Nationally, the average gas price hit an all-time high on Monday, costing about $5.01 per gallon, according to AAA.

"The cost of a barrel of oil is over $120, nearly double last August's price, as increased oil demand outpaces the tight global supply," AAA said in a statement. "Meanwhile, domestic gasoline demand remains robust as the summer driving season ramps up. As a result, the national average for a gallon of gas surged and is 15 cents more than a week ago, 58 cents more than a month ago, and $1.94 more than a year ago. Today's national average is $5.01 — an all-time high never seen since AAA began collecting pricing data in 2000."

AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said if prices stay at or above $5, we may see a change in people's daily driving habits or lifestyles. But so far, that hasn't happened.

Here are some fuel-saving tips from AAA:

• Slow down and drive the speed limit
  • On the highway, fuel economy drops significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph
• Avoid "jackrabbit" starts and hard acceleration
• Avoid prolonged idling
  • If your car will be stopped for more than a minute, shut off the engine to save fuel
• When driving in town, adjust your speed to "time" the traffic lights
• When approaching a red light or stop sign, take your foot off the gas early and allow your car to coast down to a slower speed until it is time to brake
• Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed (unless on slippery roads)
• With a manual transmission, upshift as soon as you can without "lugging" the engine
  • When practical, you can also save fuel by skip-shifting (example: going directly from first gear to third)
• Minimize your use of air conditioning
• Remove unnecessary and bulky items from your car
  • It takes more fuel to accelerate a heavier car
• Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use
  • Even an empty bike, canoe, or ski rack can reduce fuel economy, and a loaded rack or car-top container will have a major effect on gas mileage