Gasoline prices are rising in the Pittsburgh area and across the nation as demand for fuel is increasing with states beginning to reopen their economies and loosen covid-19 restrictions.
Warmer weather also is drawing more people outdoors.
The price-tracking service GasBuddy said the average gas price in the Pittsburgh area was $2.27 a gallon on Monday, up 9.9 cents in the past week. The average price remained 83.1 cents less than a year ago.
Average prices in the Pittsburgh area ranged from $1.85 to $2.84, according to GasBuddy. Statewide, prices ranged from $1.80 to $2.89.
The national average rose 2 cents a gallon in the last week to $1.86, GasBuddy reported. The average national price was 99 cents higher a year ago.
“It’s been a dramatic turn of events,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.
DeHaan said refiners quickly responded as the pandemic and related restrictions that kept many people home slashed demand in half.
“But now as cabin fever hits Americans, gasoline demand has rebounded notably, which has caused oil prices to follow,” DeHaan said. “Expect the uptick to continue as we approach Memorial Day, but prices will still set multi-year lows for the holiday and may for a good portion of the summer as well.”
Average prices remained significantly lower in several nearby areas:
• Akron — $1.97 a gallon, up 9.3 cents from last week.
• Cleveland — $1.93 a gallon, up 7.7 cents from last week.
• West Virginia — $1.81 a gallon, up 2.4 cents from last week.
