Despite tensions in the Middle East and rising oil prices, gas prices continue to slowly fall.

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.17 on Monday, Oct. 7, four cents less than last week. A year ago the price was $3.72.

Drivers in New York state pay an average of $3.21, three cents less than last Monday. For many, that's a relief compared to prices a year ago, when the NYS average was $3.86.

Super DIRT Week will be back in Oswego from October 7th to 12th

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

Batavia – $3.37 (2 cents less than last Monday)

Buffalo – $3.34 (4 cents less than last Monday)

Elmira – $3.12 (2 cents less than last Monday)

Ithaca – $3.43 (down 4 cents from last Monday)

Rochester – $3.37 (3 cents less than last Monday)

Rome – $3.34 (2 cents less than last Monday)

Syracuse – $3.22 (3 cents less than last Monday)

Watertown – $3.17 (2 cents less than last Monday)

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline fell slightly, in line with what many Central New York communities observed, and came to $3.21.

The price of gasoline continues to fall despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. There are fears that rising tensions in the Middle East could affect oil supplies. While the price of oil has increased, it hasn't translated into an increase in the price Americans pay at the pump.