Gas prices continue to rise as easing covid-19 restrictions spark demand

The average price of gasoline rose in the Pittsburgh area and across the nation on higher demand as states relax covid-19 restrictions.

“As long as covid-19 cases continue to drop over time … I suspect it is only a matter of time before (the national) average price hits the $2 per gallon mark again — which could happen as early as this week,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

In the Pittsburgh area, gas prices are averaging $2.33 a gallon, up 5 cents from last week, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 731 stations. That’s 17.6 cents a gallon more than a month ago, but 72.4 cents a gallon less than a year ago.

Prices in the Pittsburgh area ranged from $1.97 a gallon to $2.59.

The national average of $1.96 a gallon went up by 5.5 cents in the past week, according to GasBuddy. That’s 22.3 cents per gallon more than a month ago, but 86.6 cents less than a year ago.

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:

• Akron — $1.97 a gallon, down 0.3 cents from last week.

• Cleveland — $1.96 a gallon, up 1.4 cents from last week.

• West Virginia — $1.90 a gallon, up 3.2 cents from last week.