PENNSYLVANIA – Average retail gasoline prices in Pennsylvania have fallen 3.0 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.50 per gallon yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 5,269 gas outlets in Pennsylvania. This compares with the national average that has fallen 2.2 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.27 per gallon, according to gasoline price Web site GasBuddy.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Pennsylvania during the past week, prices yesterday were 2.3 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 8.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 4.7 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 1 cent per gallon higher than this day one year ago.
“The national average has picked up some downward momentum over the last week,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan.
“It’s likely that during this week, we will see gasoline prices again drop below their year ago levels yet again.
However, as we’re approaching February, the most recent drops will likely reverse as refineries begin their maintenance season, which will see refineries doing critical work preparing for summer at the expense of gasoline output, which will be a contributing factor to an upward rise in gas prices. Motorists should expect more volatility in late-February through May as the market generally reacts to any unexpected production related issues, and there are generally several issues each year,” DeHaan said.
GasBuddy operates PennsylvaniaGasPrices.com and more than 250 similar Web sites that track gasoline prices at more than 140,000 gasoline stations in the United States and Canada. In addition, GasBuddy offers a free smartphone app, which has been downloaded more than 25 million times to help motorists find the lowest gasoline prices in their area.