Feb 12, 2019 2 min read

The ebb and flow of gasoline prices continued in Western Pennsylvania, where they rose by nearly a nickel this week.

But the news was gratifying for Washington area motorists, where they average dipped about a nickel.

The average cost of a gallon of unleaded self-serve is $2.512 across the region, AAA East Central reported Monday afternoon. That is a 4.9-cent increase from $2.463 a week ago. That average, however, is 36.9 cents lower than it was a year ago – $2.881.

Regional prices over the past five weeks have risen, dropped, risen, dropped and risen.

Pennsylvania’s average rose two cents to $2.49, one of only three states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region to experience a price bump. Gasoline stocks grew by 2.3 million barrels across the region, which includes the Keystone State, and are at 71.3 million, the highest they have been since early 2017. That is expected to keep regional prices stable.

Washington’s average bucked the local trend, dropping 4.7 cents to $2.447 – down from $2.494. That is the fifth lowest among 22 Western Pennsylvania cities and towns listed by AAA.

Butler has the lowest average ($2.334), followed closely by New Castle ($2.390). For at least the fourth week in a row, Warren has the highest price – although it remained at $2.599.

Averages increased in about half of the states this week. The nationwide figure increased two cents to $2.28.