Gas prices jump, but are a comparative deal in Washington
It is not a happy new gasoline report for Western Pennsylvania.
The average price of a gallon of unleaded self-serve is $2.863 this week, up 4.7 cents from $2.816 last week, AAA East Central reported Monday afternoon. That follows three consecutive small weekly declines.
The current regional price is 40.2 cents higher than it was a year ago, at $2.461.
Washington’s average, correspondingly, rose 5.0 cents to $2.768, from $2.718. This week’s figure, however, is the second-lowest among 22 Western Pennsylvania cities and towns monitored by AAA, behind Altoona ($2.744). Brookville ($2.806) and New Castle ($2.808) are third and fourth.
This is the fifth week in a row Washington is among the lowest five.
Meadville ($2.950), for the third week in a row, has the most expensive fuel, 0.7 cents higher than Clarion ($2.943). Uniontown ($2.881) ranks 15th.
Pennsylvania’s average jumped four cents to $2.79 – the highest among states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region, and in the top 10 nationally for a second straight week. A number of states in the region experienced increases up to six cents, with the lowest averages being in Virginia ($2.35) and Delaware ($2.40).
Gasoline stocks decreased by 600,000 barrels, according to Energy Information Administration, for a total of 62.3 million. Price increases are expected over the next week.
The national average jumped four cents to $2.58, 31 cents higher than a year ago.