PLATTSBURGH — As the summer travel season wraps up, local gas prices are seeing a slight decline.
While the 5-cent drop since July is not as dramatic as the price shift from $3.07 in May to $2.86 in July, consumers are continuing to benefit from falling prices.
ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE
Just slightly less than the state average of $2.82, local gas stations interviewed this weekend by the Press-Republican averaged $2.81 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline.
Only one station, in Ray Brook, reported higher gas prices than July.
North Country residents, however, are still paying an average 13 cents more than the national average of $2.68 a gallon.
LOOKING FOR DEALS
Gregory Haynes, 44, of Plattsburgh said he has only noticed a very slight decrease. As gas prices drop, though, he said he would most likely end up driving more.
"I might make more trips that I don't need to make."
Haynes said that ever since the gas prices increased to a record national average of $4.11 in July 2008, he has taken advantage of any possible savings he can get.
Buying gas during 5-cent-off gas sale days at local stations and utilizing Price Chopper's gas rewards program has allowed him to save extra money when he heads to the pump.
Although joking that this means he spends a lot more at Price Chopper, he said he has saved up to 80 cents a gallon on gas purchases using that benefit.
As for the fluctuating gas prices over the past two years, Haynes said he is weary of the industry's reasoning.
"I don't think there's a whole lot of sense to it," he said of rising and falling prices.
CYCLICAL
Chris Vliege, 20, of Chazy works at Buck's gas station in Plattsburgh, where prices are among the lowest in the region.
While suffering through the high gas prices of the 2008 summer, he said, he stuck around town and carpooled a lot more. Even trips from Plattsburgh to visit his parents in Chazy sometimes became too expensive.
Now, with gas prices substantially lower than two years ago, he travels a lot more.
"It it stays this way, I'm fine with this," Vliege said.
Working at Buck's, he notices the cyclical nature of gas prices. At the end of traveling season, prices often drop, he said.
VERMONT PRICES
David Cohen, 57, of Plattsburgh said he has noticed a bit of a change in the region's gas prices.
He said he tries his best to fuel up in Vermont, however, as he often travels to that state. Prices there, Cohen said, can be as much as 20 cents a gallon cheaper than New York. When he's there, Cohen makes sure to save money and fill his car up before he returns.
Still, Cohen said he doesn't let the price of gasoline affect his plans or his traveling.
He knows gas prices adhere to patterns, even if they aren't easily understood. In his opinion, it all has to do with those who distribute the gasoline to our region.
"I don't think it's the individual gas stations," he said about fluctuating gas prices. "It's seasonal, up and down."
NEW YORK
Roch D'Aoust, 58, of Florida said he noticed a comfortable drop in gas prices before leaving the state but was disappointed at how high New York prices still were.
Last time he visited New York, D'Aoust said, gas was more than $4 a gallon. During that time, he traveled just as much, however, he chose to fly more often for long trips.
"We always travel," he said, despite gas prices.
D'Aoust said dropping prices could signal a change in the right direction.
"It's nice that the prices went down."
change for the better
Patrick Maddix, 42, of Plattsburgh said that although he's only noticed prices dropping a few cents, he appreciates any savings he can get. He commutes an hour to work every day.
After having to pay more than $4 a gallon just two years ago, Maddix said, gas prices today are a relief.
Mark McNierney, 45, of Plattsburgh said the drop in gas price may signal a positive change for the country as a whole.
"The lower the gas prices, the better the economy."
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