Gas prices coming down but remain above $5 in Pennsylvania

The national average gas price has dipped below $5 per gallon, but not yet in Pennsylvania, according to GasBuddy and AAA.

After peaking at about $5.02 on Thursday, the national average was $4.98 on Monday, according to AAA. The agency shows Pennsylvania’s average reaching $5.07 on June 12, but remaining above $5 at about $5.03.

The Pittsburgh-area average is a couple of cents lower than the state’s, at $5.01, down 3.5 cents per gallon in the last week, according to GasBuddy.

“For the first time in nine weeks, gasoline prices have fallen, following a broad sell-off in oil markets last week, pushing the national average back under the $5 level with most states seeing relief at the pump,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

“I’m hopeful the trend may continue this week, especially as concerns appear to be mounting that we may be on the cusp of an economic slowdown, putting downward pressure on oil,” he said.

At $5.01 per gallon, the Pittsburgh-area price is 31.9 cents more than a month ago and $1.78 more than a year ago, according to GasBuddy. Prices in the Pittsburgh area range from $4.69 per gallon up to $5.29, a difference of 60 cents per gallon.

Statewide, prices range from $4.50 up to $6.29, a difference of $1.79 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.

De Haan said the national average could fall another 15 t0 30 cents per gallon by July 4 “barring any unexpected shutdowns at a time when the market is extremely sensitive to such.”

The average per-gallon price Monday in Southwestern Pennsylvania counties as reported by AAA:

• Armstrong: $5.04

• Allegheny: $5.01

• Beaver: $5.01

• Butler: $5

• Washington: $5.01

• Westmoreland: $5.01