Gas prices rise 6 cents across region, but just a bit in Washington

Gasoline prices in Western Pennsylvania surged upward by 6.2 cents this week, raising the average cost of a gallon of unleaded self-serve is $3.115, according to a report Monday from AAA East Central. That figure is 60 cents higher than it was a year ago, at $2.515.
Washington’s price is slightly below that average, at $3.098. That is up slightly from last week’s figure, $3.074. Pennsylvania’s figure is $3.05, up four cents over the week.
One week after experiencing a 1.2-million barrel buildup of inventory, the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region had the biggest drop of any region in the nation – 1.6 million barrels. Its inventory of 65.5 million is the lowest it has been for any June.
Washington’s price of $3.098 is the ninth lowest among 22 Western Pennsylvania cities and towns listed by AAA. Sharon ($3.021) and Altoona ($3.037) had the lowest averages, Jeannette the highest at $3.178.
The U.S. average is $2.87, up one cent over the week.