Pittsburgh gas prices down as national average starts seasonal rise, analyst says

While the national average price of gasoline has gone up for the second consecutive week, prices are lower in the Pittsburgh area, according to price-tracking service GasBuddy.

The national average went up 2.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.47. In the Pittsburgh area, prices came down by 1.9 cents per gallon to an average of $2.67, according to GasBuddy.

“Over the last decade, the national average typically begins its seasonal rise on Feb. 9, lasting until May 2, during which the average rise is 54 cents per gallon,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

Gas prices in the Pittsburgh region are 9.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, but 5 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average is 6.4 cents per gallon less than a month ago, but 7.3 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy.

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:

• Akron — $2.46, up 12.4 cents per gallon from last week.

• Cleveland — $2.46, up 6.7 cents per gallon from last week.

• West Virginia — $2.39, unchanged from last week.