Apr 9, 2019 2 min read

Gasoline prices continue to go up across Western Pennsylvania – except in Washington.

The average cost of a gallon of unleaded self-serve in and around the city remains at $2.750 this week, AAA East Central announced in its weekly report Monday afternoon.

Washington has, by far, the cheapest price among 22 Western Pennsylvania cities and towns monitored by AAA. Altoona has the second-lowest average – $2.837 – which is 8.7 cents higher. Fourteen towns are at $2.90-plus.

New Castle had the cheapest price, and Washington the second-lowest, the previous three weeks. New Castle’s average, however, jumped 13.6 cents this week to $2.879.

Western Pennsylvania gas prices have risen precipitously the past few months. Washington’s average, in particular, has jumped 28.9 cents since Jan. 8, from $2.461.

The average across Western Pennsylvania rose 11.0 cents this week to $2.919 – 16.9 cents higher than Washington. The regional figure is 3.6 cents up from a year ago. Erie now has the highest price in the region – $2.977 – while Mercer ranks 21st ($2.969).

Pennsylvania’s average rose again, by eight cents to $2.88. The Keystone State is part of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region, where average prices jumped as refiners switch from producing winter-blend gasoline to the more expensive summer blend.

Gasoline stocks in the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast are at 63.5 million barrels, a year-over-year surplus of 6 million.

Prices continued to rise elsewhere, as the national average bumped up five cents to $2.74. That is a 28-cent jump over the past month.