Gas Prices Down Slightly as Summer Driving Begins

At the unofficial kick-off to the summer driving season, the average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is three cents cheaper this week at $3.030 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Gas prices continue to trend cheaper across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states, with all averages now under $3 per gallon. Though, at $2.98, Pennsylvania ranks as the tenth most expensive state in the country and the most expensive in the region.

The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest data shows the region saw a significant build in gasoline stocks – 3.8 million barrels – to total 63.7 million.

The much-needed increase in reserves helped cut the year-over-year deficit in half, now at 1.6 million barrels less than this time last year. With the nation now seeing increased demand, inventory will need to continue to build to keep gas prices decreasing and/or stable.

This week’s avg. prices

Western Pennsylvania Average – $3.030

Average price during the week of May 20, 2019 – $3.068

Average price during the week of May 28, 2018 – $3.152

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

$2.838 Altoona

$3.027 Beaver

$3.095 Bradford

$3.089 Brookville

$2.979 Butler

$3.101 Clarion

$2.976 Du Bois

$2.998 Erie

$3.056 Greensburg

$3.013 Indiana

$3.006 Jeannette

$3.156 Kittanning

$2.973 Latrobe

$3.002 Meadville

$3.099 Mercer

$2.921 New Castle

$3.030 New Ken.

$3.084 Pittsburgh

$3.017 Sharon

$3.009 Uniontown

$3.139 Warren

$3.045 Washington

On the National Front

For the 37.6 million Americans who hit the road this past Memorial Day weekend, the vast majority found savings at the pump compared to last year’s holiday.

Today, 42 states and Washington, D.C., have gas price averages that are less expensive year-over-year, with Floridians (down 31 cents) seeing the largest yearly change. Motorists in West Coast states are the exception, paying nearly double-digits more than last May to fill up.

Gas prices have declined, on average, by at least a nickel for most the country since the beginning of May, and the trend could continue into June.

Stable crude oil prices are helping to push prices down at the pump despite tight domestic gasoline supply and robust demand.

Today’s national average is $2.82, which is cheaper than last week by two cents, last month by six cents and last year by 16 cents.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate increased by 72 cents to settle at $58.63. Overall, crude prices saw a loss last week, following release of EIA’s weekly petroleum status report that showed total domestic crude inventories rose by 4.8 million barrels. At 476.8 million, the current level is the highest since July 2017.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

Editor’s Note: AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 79 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.