With the national average price of gasoline declining for the 10th straight week, motorists are enjoying the longest downward trend at the pump since the summer of 2022, an industry analyst said.
“The timing couldn’t be better as Americans head into the holidays, leaving them with more in their wallets at a time of year many start to spend on gifts for loved ones,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “In addition, gasoline demand continues to be dragged lower as Americans stay inside more often, helping to put continued downward pressure on gasoline prices.”
According to AAA, the national average was $3.25 on Monday. That’s down about 6 cents from a week ago, 27 cents from a month ago and 31 cents from a year ago.
Nationwide, state averages range from about $2.71 in Texas up to $4.90 in California, according to AAA.
At an average of $3.56 per gallon, Pennsylvania is among 10 states in the highest tier of average prices, which range from about $3.54 in Arizona up to California’s $4.90 per gallon, according to AAA.
Those states also include neighboring New York at $3.57; Idaho, $3.64; Alaska, $3.96; Oregon, $4.05; Nevada, $4.18; Washington, $4.39; and Hawaii, $4.72.
Pennsylvania’s statewide average is down about 3 cents from a week ago, 15 cents from a month ago, and 41 cents from a year ago.
County averages range from about $3.49 up to $3.78 per gallon, AAA reported. County averages in the Pittsburgh area:
• Allegheny: $3.64
• Armstrong: $3.65
• Beaver: $3.65
• Butler: $3.58
• Washington: $3.64
• Westmoreland: $3.64
GasBuddy reported the Pittsburgh area average at $3.61 per gallon based on its survey of 731 stations. That’s down 5 cents from last week, 15 cents from last month and 31 cents less than a year ago.
According to GasBuddy price reports, Pittsburgh area prices ranged from $3.19 up to $3.99 per gallon, a difference of 80 cents per gallon. Statewide, prices ranged from $3.11 up to $4.49 per gallon, a difference of $1.38 per gallon.
Neighboring areas and their current gas prices, according to GasBuddy:
• Akron: $2.91, down 13 cents from last week.
• Cleveland: $3.01, down 10 cents from last week.
• West Virginia: $3.14, down 4 cents from last week.
De Haan said GasBuddy is monitoring OPEC’s delayed meeting, set to occur this week, “for potential surprises that could eventually mean an end to lower gas prices should they make any surprise oil production cuts.”
