By SARA FURLONG

s.furlong@bradfordera.com

Bradford’s prices at the pump saw none of the three-cent decrease seen throughout western Pennsylvania during the last week.

Locally the average shed one-tenth of one cent, from $3.594 to $3.593, while the regional average went from $3.529 to $3.49, according to AAA East Central.

During the last two weeks, Bradford’s averages dropped just $0.006 from $3.599 in mid-February. Regionally prices have dropped nearly 10 times that during the same period, down $0.059 from $3.549.

This week in Brookville it was $3.317, down more than 7 cents; in DuBois it was $3.344, down 8 cents; Erie’s prices were at $3.543 Monday, down just more than a penny; and in Warren it was $3.596, down two-tenths of one cent.

Across the commonwealth, average gas prices dropped 4.3 cents per gallon to $3.30 Monday, according to GasBuddy.

The price is 4.3 cents less than last month and 23.2 cents less than last year in Pennsylvania, where this week stations varied by $1.25 per gallon, from $2.74 to $3.99.

Nationally, gasoline dipped another 3.8 cents per gallon this week to stand at $3.04 Monday.

That’s 4.7 cents less than a month ago and 29.9 cents less than last year. Drivers buying diesel paid an average of $3.629 per gallon Monday, down 1.9 cents from last week.

‘Gasoline prices in the U.S. have edged slightly lower over the past week, even as geopolitical tensions intensify, with the Trump administration promising tariffs that could not only create economic uncertainty but also impact what some motorists pay at the pump in the weeks ahead,’ said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

‘Given the volatility surrounding the tariff situation, forecasting fuel prices remains challenging, as uncertainty lingers over the timing and scope of these tariffs, which the Trump administration has suggested will soon take effect. This comes on top of ongoing concerns about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and discussions of a potential deal to end the war. While OPEC has signaled its intent to stabilize the market, policy decisions could introduce further uncertainty, making it difficult to predict where prices will head next. However, nearly every year sees a seasonal spring increase, which could eventually push prices higher ahead of summer.’

Back in 2016, during the week of March 3, a gallon of gas cost

Prices… page A-8 an average of $1.90 in Pennsylvania and, nationwide, motorists paid an average of $1.80. Averages from this week in 2022 remain the highest over the last 10 years, at $3.92 across the state and $3.76 nationwide.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased from 8.23 million barrels per day last week to 8.45. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 247.9 million barrels to 248.3, while gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.2 million barrels per day.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate dropped $0.31 to settle at $68.62 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 2.3 million barrels from the previous week. At 430.2 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 4% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide and countywide at gasprices. aaa.com.