Drivers urged to wait to fill up as gasoline prices continue to tumble

Gasoline prices in the Pittsburgh area and nationwide continue to fall on oil prices that are nearing their lowest level since October, an industry analyst said.

“While the national average could fall into the $2.30s before all is said and done, the downward move likely won’t last much more than a few more weeks,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for the price-tracking service GasBuddy. “For now, my advice to motorists is don’t be in a rush to fill — nearly every station nationwide will be cutting their prices in the days ahead, but shop around if you do need to fill up and patronize the stations with the lowest prices.”

In the Pittsburgh area, gas prices have fallen 8.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.74, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 731 stations. That’s 8.2 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, but 28 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.9 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.50. That’s down 6.6 cents per gallon from a month ago, but 25 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:

• Akron — $2.32, down 22.7 cents per gallon from last week.

• Cleveland — $2.44, down 11.9 cents per gallon from last week.

• West Virginia — $2.48, down 5.6 cents per gallon from last week.