Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania dropped by a penny this week to $2.632 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.
On the National Front
National gas prices are increasing for the first time in four weeks, with today’s average at $2.36/gallon – two cents more than a week ago, six cents less than a month ago, but eight cents more than a year ago. The increases are likely the result of rising demand and crude oil prices. At least 36 states saw price increases on the week, with national gasoline inventories dropping by 400,000 barrels to 240.7 million.
AAA projects that more than 34 million Americans are planning to take a road trip this Memorial Day weekend– the highest level since 2005. The rise in road travel could pressure pump prices to continue to increase into the summer months, potentially returning to the higher national averages seen in April.
The Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states saw gas prices fluctuate, with increases in some areas, while others saw prices drop or remain stable, including Pennsylvania (-1 cent). Pennsylvania ($2.57) continues to lead the region with some of the highest gas prices.
Compared to the previous week’s gain of 2.6 million barrels, this week’s addition of only 400,000 likely impacted the wide range in gasoline price changes (+4 cents to -1 cents) in the region. With this week’s growth, the region’s stocks are the second highest in the country.
After a strong finish to last week’s trading, crude made strong gains on Monday morning and stayed above $50 per barrel. The jump is due to a weaker dollar and comes ahead of OPEC’s meeting on Thursday in Austria to discuss extending the already agreed upon production cuts through the remainder of the year – and possibly through the first quarter of 2018. Only time will tell if OPEC’s actions will curtail growing inventories, especially as the U.S. continues to benefit from historic rates of exploration.
Unprecedented growth in the exploration sector will continue to put new oil in the production pipeline for refineries. If gas prices continue to increase, refiners will capitalize on the potential to expand profit margins and continue producing record amounts of gasoline. With Memorial Day around the corner, these dynamics and growing demand could lead to higher prices at the pump for road travelers.
This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average $2.632
Average price during the week of May 15, 2017 $2.644
Average price during the week of May 23, 2016 $2.496
The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:
$2.646 Altoona
$2.687 Beaver
$2.589 Bradford
$2.689 Brookville
$2.613 Butler
$2.653 Clarion
$2.509 Du Bois
$2.623 Erie
$2.667 Greensburg
$2.617 Indiana
$2.692 Jeannette
$2.660 Kittanning
$2.644 Latrobe
$2.592 Meadville
$2.676 Mercer
$2.571 New Castle
$2.661 New Kensington
$2.680 Pittsburgh
$2.467 Sharon
$2.669 Uniontown
$2.660 Warren
$2.636 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 Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members. Past news releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
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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