Clocking in at $3.757 Monday, 2.3 cents less than last week, Bradford’s average gas prices split the difference between regional and statewide decreases.
In Western Pennsylvania, according to AAA East Central, prices shed 3 cents this week to stand at $3.479 per gallon. Across the Commonwealth, according to GasBuddy, a decrease of 1.7 cents left motorists parting with $3.31 per gallon.
Other than in Warren, where it was $3.759 Monday, it was about 40 cents cheaper throughout the rest of the region, at $3.365 in Brookville, $3.341 in DuBois and $3.377 in Erie.
The gap between the Keystone State’s cheapest and most expensive stations widened to $1.45, with the lowest at $2.71 and the highest at $4.16. Average costs are 16.5 cents lower than a month ago and 55.9 cents lower than a year ago.
Nationally, while diesel declined another 1.2 cents to stand at $3.54 per gallon, gasoline prices ticked up 1.4 cents per gallon, averaging $3.17 Monday. Still, these prices remain lower than last month and last year, by 15.4 cents and 63.8 cents, respectively.
“Another week brings a mixed bag at the gas pump, with gas prices declining in slightly more than half of U.S. states while others have seen increases due to some refinery snags and maintenance that have emerged, temporarily delaying declines in some areas. Meanwhile, GasBuddy data shows 18 states with sub-$3 per gallon average gas prices, a count that should certainly rise over the next few weeks,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “While Hurricane Helene left feet of rain behind and some states are seeing challenges in getting gasoline to stations, the storm did not broadly impact fuel production. For now, with oil prices falling back below $70 per barrel, the national average may be a bit stuck in the low $3s until fall maintenance wraps up, which could help bring a sub-$3 national average later this fall.”
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose from 8.77 million barrels per day last week to 9.20. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks fell slightly from 221.6 million barrels to 220.1, while gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels daily.
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate fell by 1.87 cents to settle at $69.69 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 4.5 million barrels from the previous week. At 413.0 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 5% below the five-year average for this time of year.
Locally, this week’s average for a barrel of oil is hovering around $65. Local crude buyers Ergon and American Refining Group, as of Friday, were offering $64.18, an increase of 51 cents from Thursday’s listings.
Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide and countywide at gasprices.aaa.com.
