Gas prices continue plummeting, averaging $2.27 a gallon in Pittsburgh area

Gasoline prices are continuing to fall but, unlike the national average, the average in the Pittsburgh area remains above $2 per gallon, according to price-tracking service GasBuddy.

The national average has fallen under $2 per gallon for the first time in more than four years, caused by an unprecedented drop in demand for gasoline as people observe stay-at-home orders to combat the spread of covid-19, said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

Prices are expected to continue to fall, DeHaan said.

“With the nation continuing to be under siege from the coronavirus and millions staying parked at home, there’s quite a bit more downside that’s in the pipeline coming in the weeks ahead,” DeHaan said.

DeHaan predicted the national average price could fall by 50 cents to $1 per gallon.

The national average fell 10.1 cents per gallon in the past week to $1.97 per gallon. That’s 45.5 cents per gallon less than a month ago, and 72.7 cents per gallon less than a year ago.

Prices in the Pittsburgh area fell by 10.2 cents per gallon over the past week, to an average of $2.27, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 731 stations. That’s 35.8 cents per gallon less than a month ago, and 50.9 cents per gallon less than a year ago.

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:

• Akron — $1.60, down 6.2 cents per gallon from last week;

• Cleveland — $1.66, down 11.3 cents per gallon from last week;

• West Virginia — $1.93, down 10.5 cents per gallon from last week.