Gas prices in Rochester continue to climb amid uncertain future in Iran

Henrietta, N.Y. (WHAM) — Prices at the pump continue to rise as the United States tries to reach a peace deal with Iran.

MORE: US fires on Iranian tanker as Trump pushes for deal to end war

Unleaded gas prices in the Rochester area Wednesday averaged $4.49 per gallon, according to AAA.

College freshman Cathaniel Marte said the recent surge caused him to make significant adjustments.

“As a college student, it’s really hard,” he said. “Most of my money is going to tuition.”

Marte said he plans to work full-time over the summer, hoping that money will help make filling up the tank a little less of a stretch.

“I basically have to save every cent that I get and put whatever I can on a credit card to pay back later,” Marte said after filling up his car at a gas station on West Henrietta Road.

“Fortunately for me, usually I kind of just stuck around in the local area,” Joshua Vanderbilt of Penfield said regarding his summer plans. “I don’t travel as much as I know some other people would during the holidays. It would certainly be a lot more expensive.”

The Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has drastically affected prices in the U.S.

According to AAA, gas prices have averaged a $0.27 increase per week nationwide since the war began. At that rate, prices in the Rochester area could reach $5 per gallon before Memorial Day. The highest-ever recorded price in Rochester was $4.98 in June 2022.

“If everything were to go back to normal tomorrow, it could take quite a while for things, for those processes to be felt at your neighborhood gas station,” said Valerie Puma, communications specialist for AAA Western and Central New York.

Puma said there are some ways to try and stretch your dollar.

“You can make an informed decision of where you want to gas up or see what the best cost is per day,” Puma said. “But also understanding maybe the best way to get that gas mileage for your vehicle is taking out any bulky items, maybe things that you meant to bring in a couple weeks ago that have just been sitting in the trunk, heavy items, unnecessary things.”

CLICK HERE to see where to get the cheapest gas in the Rochester area.