PITTSBURGH — The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is three cents higher this week at $2.106 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region is seeing the least volatility in the country at the pump. On the week, gas prices increased or decreased no more than two cents, except in West Virginia (+6 cents), Maine (+6 cents) and North Carolina (+3 cents). All state gas price averages in the region are as much as 15 cents cheaper on the month and over a dollar less on the year.

At the start of this week, averages range from $1.67 in North Carolina to $2.18 in Washington, D.C.

For a second week, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports a draw in gasoline stocks in the region. For the week ending May 1, stocks dipped by nearly 2 million barrels to fall to 70.8 million. Regional refinery rates continue to increase too, up to 50%. Small gas price fluctuations are the likely trend motorists can expect to see in the week ahead.

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in Bradford was $2.128; in Brookville, $2.076; in DuBois, $2.100; in Erie, $2.077; and in Warren, $2.159.

The national gas price average is six cents more expensive on the week at $1.84, but still three cents cheaper on the month and $1.02 less on the year. Regardless of the national increase, 40 states still have averages of $2.00 or less per gallon. Pump prices are fluctuating throughout the country as demand increases and gasoline stocks decrease.

The EIA’s latest data report showed demand for gasoline increased by 800,000 barrels-per-day to 6.7 million last week, which is 3.2 million b/d less than last year at this time. As more states re-open to business, gas demand is expected to continue to grow, leading pump prices to continue their increase.