Gas Prices Surging In NY; No Relief Expected Anytime Soon

NEW YORK — No, it's not your imagination — gas prices are going up in New York.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up 5 cents over the past week. As of Monday, it's now $3.325, according to AAA.

New Yorkers, however, are paying an average of $3.428 a gallon. A week ago, the average was $3.351.

What is driving this increase is the cost of crude oil, which is now closing daily at more than $80 a barrel.

Compare that to August when the price of crude was in the neighborhood of $60.

Andrew Gross, a spokesman for AAA, said that compared with the price of gasoline a year ago, it now costs people about $17 more to fill up their tanks.

"That's the cost of a large pizza with toppings," he said. "And unfortunately, it doesn't look like drivers will be finding relief at the pump anytime soon."

According to AAA, the current average in Dutchess and Putnam counties is $3.440 for regular, up a week ago from $3.333.

In Nassau and Suffolk counties, motorists are paying an average of $3.398 a gallon today. A week ago, they were paying $3.320.

In White Plains, they are going to pay on average $3.510 a gallon, where they were only paying $3.411 a week ago.