Oil prices and refinery challenges impacting supplies have contributed to average gasoline prices rising across most of the country, an industry analyst said.
A surge in new covid cases also has not slowed demand much in China, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
“In addition, releases of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve have wrapped up,” he said. “Concerns are increasing that without additional oil, supply will tighten in the weeks ahead, especially as the nation starts to move away from softer demand in the height of winter. Moving forward, it doesn’t look good for motorists, with prices likely to continue accelerating.”
According to AAA, the national average on Monday was $3.42 per gallon. That’s about 12 cents more than a week ago, 33 cents more than a month ago and 9 cents more than a year ago.
Pennsylvania’s statewide average was $3.70 per gallon, AAA reported. That’s about 7 cents more than a week ago, 9 cents more than a month ago and 18 cents more than a year ago.
County averages range from $3.57 per gallon to $3.81, according to AAA.
County averages in the Pittsburgh area:
• Allegheny: $3.75
• Armstrong: $3.78
• Beaver: $3.76
• Butler: $3.76
• Washington: $3.74
• Westmoreland: $3.76
GasBuddy reported Monday’s average in the Pittsburgh area at $3.74 per gallon, based on its survey of 731 stations. That’s 2.5 cents higher than a month ago and 23.8 cents higher than a year ago.
Prices in the Pittsburgh area range from $3.35 per gallon to $4.29, a difference of 94 cents per gallon.
Neighboring areas and their current gas prices, according to GasBuddy:
• Akron: $3.49, up 15.2 cents from last week.
• Cleveland: $3.47, up 9.4 cents from last week.
• West Virginia: $3.43, up 22.3 cents from last week.
The national average price of diesel has increased 2.6 cents in the past week to $4.60 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.
