PITTSBURGH — The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is steady this week at $2.719 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.
With a six-cent decrease, Maryland ($2.32) saw the largest weekly decline in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region. Virginia ($2.21), North Carolina ($2.24), New Jersey ($2.49) and West Virginia ($2.40) saw five-cent declines and rounded-out the largest decreases in the region on the week. Statewide, Pennsylvania’s average price for gasoline is $2.63 — three cents cheaper than this time last week.
With a nearly 1-million-barrel increase, regional gasoline stocks sit right under 67 million barrels. Energy Information Administration (EIA) historical stock data show that the region has bounced back (in terms of inventory levels) following last year’s closure of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery.
The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in Bradford is $2.766; Brookville, $2.764; DuBois, $2.726; Erie, $2.864; and in Warren, $2.853.
Gas prices may be 16 cents more expensive than last year, but that price gap has been shrinking steadily. It’s the smallest year-over-year difference seen in two months, largely due to decreasing oil prices. At $50/bbl (West Texas Intermediate), crude oil prices are at their cheapest point in a year. That, combined with steady gasoline stock levels and low demand have helped to push the national average lower — a dime cheaper than three weeks ago, at $2.43.
