After dropping by nine cents last week, gas prices in Western Pennsylvania are six cents cheaper this week at $2.461 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.
The New Year is off to a good start at the pump in every Mid-Atlantic and Northeast state compared to the beginning of 2018. Compared to this time last year, Pennsylvania’s state average is 26 cents cheaper at $2.49. On the week, gasoline inventory levels held flat at 60 million barrels – as did regional refinery utilization (83 percent).
This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average: $2.461
Average price during the week of December 27, 2018: $2.525
Average price during the week of January 2, 2018: $2.767
The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:
$2.452 Altoona
$2.530 Beaver
$2.564 Bradford
$2.532 Brookville
$2.404 Butler
$2.408 Clarion
$2.385 Du Bois
$2.454 Erie
$2.417 Greensburg
$2.505 Indiana
$2.466 Jeannette
$2.572 Kittanning
$2.355 Latrobe
$2.388 Meadville
$2.461 Mercer
$2.231 New Castle
$2.497 New Kensington
$2.528 Pittsburgh
$2.372 Sharon
$2.498 Uniontown
$2.653 Warren
$2.478 Washington
On the National Front
At $2.25, the national gas average is the cheapest it’s been at the beginning of the New Year in the past three years. Moreover, gasoline is below $2/gallon in nine states. 29 state gas price averages are at or below the national average of $2.25 with Missouri touting the cheapest at $1.83. Hawaii ($3.34) carries the most expensive average.
The end of 2018 drove West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices to as low as $44/bbl, which is a steep $31 drop from the high of $77/bbl seen during June. Oil prices mostly fell last week, as market observers continue to believe that the global crude market is over-supplied. With OPEC production cuts slated to take effect this week, analysts will closely be watching the price of oil. Significant movement toward higher market prices would mean cheaper gas prices could be in the rearview mirror. However, AAA expects to see minimal volatility at the start of the cartel’s production cuts.
Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.
AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 80 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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