Increased demand, OPEC production cut contribute to rising gas prices

Pennsylvania is among 44 states that saw their average gasoline prices rise over the past week.

“Prices are being pulled up not only due to continued increases in demand as temperatures warm, but also pressure from oil prices, which have risen over 20% in the last month, primarily driven by OPEC’s surprise decision a week ago to cut oil production,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

“Expect the upward trend to continue through much of the rest of spring, but once the transition to summer gasoline and refinery maintenance are behind us, April and May jumps could bring June slumps,” he said.

According to AAA, the national average was about $3.60 on Monday. That’s about 10 cents more than a week ago and 13 cents more than a month ago, but 51 cents less than a year ago.

State averages range from $3.13 per gallon in Mississippi to $4.88 per gallon in California, according to AAA.

At $3.69 per gallon, Pennsylvania is among states with the highest averages which, in addition to California, include Alaska ($3.83), Arizona ($4.39), Hawaii ($4.78), Illinois ($3.96), Nevada ($4.23), Oregon ($3.99) and Washington ($4.39).

Across the state, county averages range from about $3.58 to $3.80 per gallon, according to AAA.

County averages in the Pittsburgh region:

• Allegheny: $3.78

• Armstrong: $3.76

• Beaver: $3.75

• Butler: $3.76

• Washington: $3.77

• Westmoreland: $3.77

GasBuddy reported the average price in the Pittsburgh area at $3.76, based on its survey of 731 stations. That’s about 8 cents more than a week ago and 3 cents more than a month ago, but 46 cents less than a year ago.

According to GasBuddy, prices in the Pittsburgh area range from $3.49 to $3.99 per gallon, a difference of 50 cents.

Neighboring areas and their current prices:

• Akron: $3.65, up 23 cents from last week.

• Cleveland: $3.66, up 25 cents from last week.

• West Virginia: $3.57, up 16 cents from last week.

The national average price of diesel fell about 2 cents in the past week to $4.15 per gallon, which De Haan said puts the price of diesel at its narrowest difference to gasoline in more than 13 months.