Gas prices expected to continue to rise ahead of Fourth of July holiday, analyst says

Gasoline prices in the Pittsburgh area and across the nation continue to rise as demand has risen to its highest level in three months, according to the price-tracking service GasBuddy.

The national average has now risen for seven straight weeks, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

“I expect the upward trend to continue across most of the country ahead of July 4, with prices perhaps rising another 10 (to) 20 cents by then,” De Haan said. “The one thing that could bring restraint to rising gas prices is if we see a significant second wave of covid-19 cases, but for now, I’m optimistic that won’t happen.”

In the Pittsburgh area, the average price is $2.34 a gallon, up 0.3 cents a gallon in the past week, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 731 stations. That’s 9.6 cents a gallon more than a month ago, but 53.4 cents less than a year ago.

Prices in the Pittsburgh area range from $2.10 a gallon to $2.75. Statewide prices range from $1.99 to $2.89.

The national average is $2.09, up 4.7 cents a gallon in the past week. That’s 23.3 cents a gallon more than a month ago, but 57.7 cents less than a year ago.

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:

• Akron — $2.26, up 15.8 cents a gallon from last week.

• Cleveland — $2.23, up 16.4 cents a gallon from last week.

• West Virginia — $2.03, up 5.8 cents a gallon from last week.