While Bradford’s gasoline prices typically see none of the decreases enjoyed regionally or even state- and nationwide, the local average dipped ever so slightly this week, despite a 9-cent increase seen regionally.
A $3.568 last week, Bradford clocked in at $3.561 Monday — 0.7 cents lower — according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.
Throughout Western Pennsylvania, AAA reported, prices were 9 cents higher this week at $3.462.
In Brookville, prices spiked 21.3 cents from $3.244 last week to $3.457 Monday. DuBois saw a 35.5-cent leap this week to $3.440. In Erie it was $3.461, up 11.6 cents from last week. Warren’s average decreased more than usual, down 3.6 cents to $3.521.
While still 5.8 cents less than last month and 36.5 cents less than last year, statewide prices increased 4.4 cents to $3.25. The commonwealth’s stations varied, according to GasBuddy, by $1.26 per gallon. The cheapest outlets were selling a gallon of gas for $2.69 and the most expensive at $3.95. Pennsylvania is among the top 10 most expensive gasoline markets in the United States.
Nationally, prices rose 2.7 cents per gallon to stand at $3.11 Monday. That’s 2.2 cents more than last month but still 39.7 cents less than last year, mainly due to tepid gasoline demand and the price of crude oil. Diesel also increased 0.9 cents during the last week, to $3.558 per gallon.
“We’ve seen the national average inch up for the second straight week, but with renewed refinery issues on the West Coast, gas prices there are likely to jump 10 to 35 cents per gallon over the next couple weeks. Meanwhile, motorists in the Northeast should consider filling up soon, as the final step in the transition to summer gasoline is just a couple of weeks away — and with it, a likely increase in prices,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “As we head into April, Americans should expect gas prices to rise, with a peak that could occur in mid- to late April. While average prices remain well below last year’s levels, we’ll likely begin to catch up, with prices expected to increase in most — if not all — states over the next few weeks. Continued uncertainty around whether tariffs will be implemented on April 2 could also impact pump prices, setting the stage for a volatile period for American drivers.”
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased from 8.81 barrels per day last week to 8.64. The total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 240.6 million barrels to 239.1. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.2 million barrels per day.
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate rose 65 cents to settle at $69.65 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 3.3 million barrels from the previous week. At 433.6 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 5% below the five-year average for this time of year.
For EV drivers, the national public average per kilowatt-hour at charging stations was unchanged this week at 34 cents.
Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide and countywide at gasprices.aaa.com.
