PITTSBURGH — The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is a penny higher this week at $2.724 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. This is the first increase in the region in six weeks.

There was volatility at the pump in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states this week, with gas prices increasing in many states (PA, +1 cent), and decreases or stability in the others.

The five most expensive state averages in the region, which rank among the 8th – 13th highest in the country, are Pennsylvania ($2.64), New York ($2.61), Vermont ($2.58) Washington, D.C. ($2.58) and Connecticut ($2.54).

Gasoline inventory built again, this week by about 400,000 barrels. That jumped total stock levels to above 67 million barrels, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). At 65.8%, regional refinery utilization is the lowest of any region in the country. However, imports are helping to keep gasoline stocks at healthy levels and gas prices cheaper for some motorists in the region.

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in Bradford is $2.679; Brookville, $2.778; DuBois, $2.769; Erie, $2.838; and in Warren, $2.849.

State gas price averages are fluctuating across the country, causing the national gas price average to increase by two cents on the week to $2.44. Since last week, most states saw gas price increases or decreases by as much as three cents, and eight states saw prices increase by a nickel or more.