Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania increased by about five cents this week to $2.667 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.
On the National Front
Today’s national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.41. This price is two cents more expensive than one week ago, 12 cents more than one month ago and 30 cents more than one year ago. The national average has now increased for 20 consecutive days, and pump prices in 43 states and Washington D.C. have moved higher over the last week. This increase was most prevalent in the East Coast region where refiners wrapped up seasonal turnaround resulting in significant prices increases last week.
Pennsylvania ($2.64) lands on the list of top 15 most expensive markets, as the region made the final switch to summer-blend gasoline last week. Pennsylvania also had one of the largest weekly increases, increasing 5 cents. Compared to this same time last year, Pennsylvania is seeing significant increases at the pump. This trend is likely the result of the region’s move toward less substantial gasoline imports.
Last week, crude oil futures held onto the week’s gains closing out above $53 per barrel. Competitive prices were led by reports that OPEC and non-OPEC compliance is above 90 percent and the countries are considering extending production cuts beyond June, the original end date for the agreement reached last November. Participating OPEC countries plan to meet on May 25 to discuss how an extension of their agreement could further rebalance global oil supply and inventory levels.
Markets opened Monday morning with less confidence, countered somewhat by growing U.S. production. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a larger-than-expected decline in oil stockpiles last week showing growth in U.S. oil output. National crude oil output reached a one-year high of an estimated 9.1 million b/d in March this year. At the close of last week’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate was up seven cents to settle at $53.18 per barrel.
This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average $2.667
Average price during the week of April 10, 2017 $2.615
Average price during the week of April 18, 2016 $2.280
The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:
$2.649 Altoona
$2.637 Beaver
$2.715 Bradford
$2.705 Brookville
$2.667 Butler
$2.666 Clarion
$2.675 Du Bois
$2.634 Erie
$2.674 Greensburg
$2.693 Indiana
$2.722 Jeannette
$2.689 Kittanning
$2.678 Latrobe
$2.677 Meadville
$2.693 Mercer
$2.635 New Castle
$2.686 New Kensington
$2.666 Pittsburgh
$2.517 Sharon
$2.678 Uniontown
$2.699 Warren
$2.620 Washington
Motorists can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.
AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 81 local offices in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York and Kentucky serving more than 2.7 million members.
For More Information, Contact:
Jim Garrity, Public & Community Relations Manager
Desk: 412-365-7274 / Cell: 412-905-9021 / Email: Garrity.James@aaaec.com
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