W. Pa. Gas Fall, Following National Trend

Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania were nearly nine cents cheaper at the end of the year at $2.525 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Statewide, gasoline was about five cents cheaper in Pennsylvania at $2.54. Nonetheless, the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region remains one of the most expensive regions in the country this week.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average – $2.525

Average price during the week of Dec. 17, 2018 – $2.610

Average price during the week of Dec. 26, 2017 – $2.741

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:

$2.474 Altoona

$2.586 Bradford

$2.454 Butler

$2.492 Clarion

$2.409 Du Bois

$2.495 Erie

$2.517 Greensburg

$2.577 Indiana

$2.595 Kittanning

$2.480 Latrobe

$2.488 Meadville

$2.512 Mercer

$2.331 New Castle

$2.603 Pittsburgh

$2.525 Uniontown

$2.688 Warren

$2.523 Washington

On the National Front

Nearly 20 percent of states are currently enjoying prices below $2 per gallon.

Nationally, retail averages have dropped 83 of the past 90 days. The national average for regular unleaded gasoline currently sits at $2.30 per gallon, which is six cents less than one week ago, 24 cents less than one month ago and 16 cents less than at the same time last year.

Into 2019, gasoline demand is expected to dwindle during the month of January, an expected change following the busy holiday travel season.

OPEC began production cuts on Jan. 1, with hopes that the shift in global supply will push oil prices higher. The effectiveness of the cuts will not likely be known until later in the first quarter.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate decreased 29 cents to settle at $45.59.

Oil prices mostly fell last week, reaching their lowest since the third quarter of 2017, as market observers have concerns that the global crude market is oversupplied.

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.