Gas prices expected to end year on downward path, analyst says

The national average price of gasoline has seen its seventh weekly decline, falling to a new low since March, according to price tracking service GasBuddy.

While average prices in the Pittsburgh area and nationally are lower than they were a month ago, both are notably higher than a year ago.

Pittsburgh prices are down 1.8 cents per gallon in the past week to an average of $2.79, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 731 stations. That’s 7.8 cents per gallon less than a month ago, but 20.9 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

The national average came down 2.4 cents per gallon in the past week to an average of $2.53. That’s 5.9 cents per gallon less than a month ago, but 22.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

“Closing out 2019 will likely see some additional downward momentum,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:

• Akron — $2.41, down 12.4 cents per gallon;

• Cleveland — $2.50, down 7.1 cents per gallon;

• West Virginia — $2.54, up 2.6 cents per gallon.