After dropping by two cents last week, gas prices in Western Pennsylvania are down by another four cents this week to $2.790 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.
Across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region, gas prices dropped as much as 3 cents on the week in some states (Pennsylvania, -3 cents). Pennsylvania lands on this week’s top 10 states list with the biggest decreases, though it remains the most expensive in the region.
Despite this week’s pump price decreases, every state in the region is paying more than at the same time last year. However, a handful are paying as much as 25 cents-per-gallon or more to fill up versus March 2017 (Pennsylvania, +26 cents).
Gasoline inventories took a large 3.4 million barrel drop on the week, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Regional inventory sits at 61.8 million barrels. The draw is not surprising given an increase in U.S. exports and that local Phillips 66 Bayway refinery continues maintenance.
This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average: $2.790
Average price during the week of March 5, 2018: $2.826
Average price during the week of March 13, 2017: $2.516
The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:
$2.750 Altoona
$2.807 Beaver
$2.807 Bradford
$2.820 Brookville
$2.820 Butler
$2.801 Clarion
$2.765 Du Bois
$2.766 Erie
$2.805 Greensburg
$2.799 Indiana
$2.847 Jeannette
$2.813 Kittanning
$2.779 Latrobe
$2.770 Meadville
$2.815 Mercer
$2.757 New Castle
$2.799 New Kensington
$2.817 Pittsburgh
$2.735 Sharon
$2.758 Uniontown
$2.806 Warren
$2.750 Washington
On the National Front
At $2.53, the national gas price average has held steady for nine days. Factors contributing to the flat price include increased gasoline production that has kept pace with higher than usual demand this winter. The latest EIA report shows that demand increased week-over-week, registering at 9.2 b/d – the highest gasoline demand level seen this year.
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased $1.92 to settle at $62.04. Earlier in the week, after EIA’s weekly report noted that crude oil inventories increased by 2.4 million barrels last week, WTI prices took a hit. Crude prices rebounded toward the weekend because of a strong rally alongside the stock market. The price of crude has the potential to slide this week amid the fact that U.S. crude production continues to boom.
Motorists can find current gas prices at GasPrices.AAA.com.
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. 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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