Tax keeps Pennsylvania gas prices high despite nationwide downward trend, analyst says

Regardless of falling gasoline costs nationwide, Pennsylvania finds itself within the firm of West Coast states with the very best common costs within the nation.

Pennsylvania’s statewide common on Monday was about $3.97 per gallon, about 42 cents increased than the nationwide common and better than all surrounding states, based on AAA.

That places the state within the firm of seven West Coast states, together with Alaska and Hawaii, for the very best common costs, with averages starting from $3.91 in Utah as much as $5.20 in Hawaii, based on AAA.

The state’s gasoline tax, about 58 cents per gallon , is primarily accountable, mentioned Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum evaluation at price-tracking service GasBuddy.

The state’s whole tax is 77.1 cents per gallon, third behind Illinois (78 cents) and California (86.55 cents), based on the American Petroleum Institute. Illinois’ common is now about $3.83 per gallon, whereas California’s is $5.04.

Based on AAA, county averages in Pennsylvania vary from about $3.84 as much as $4.16, with Pittsburgh space counties on the decrease finish:

• Allegheny: $3.94

• Armstrong: $3.88

• Beaver: $3.90

• Butler: $3.86

• Washington: $3.93

• Westmoreland: $3.97

The information isn’t all dangerous. Within the Pittsburgh space, common gasoline costs fell almost 3 cents per gallon within the final week, to a median of $3.92, based on GasBuddy’s survey of 731 stations. That’s 5.5 cents per gallon lower than a month in the past, however about 38 cents per gallon greater than a 12 months in the past.

Costs within the Pittsburgh space vary from $3.59 as much as $4.19, a distinction of 60 cents per gallon, based on GasBuddy.

GasBuddy reported the nationwide common falling about 12 cents per gallon up to now week, to $3.52. That’s about 23 cents per gallon lower than a month in the past, however 14 cents increased than a 12 months in the past.

“All of the metrics look very constructive for motorists as this week is prone to proceed seeing falling gasoline costs, with many areas falling to the bottom stage since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February,” De Haan mentioned. “It’s fully potential the nationwide common value of gasoline might fall underneath $3 per gallon by Christmas, which might be an enormous reward to unwrap for motorists after a dizzying 12 months on the pump.”

Neighboring areas and their present gasoline costs, as reported by GasBuddy:

• Akron: $3.31, down 13 cents per gallon from final week.

• Cleveland: $3.36, down 14.5 cents per gallon from final week.

• West Virginia: $3.46, down 6.6 cents per gallon from final week.

The nationwide common value of diesel fell about 8 cents per gallon within the final week to $5.20, based on GasBuddy.

De Haan mentioned diesel costs got here down in 47 of fifty states, which he mentioned might be offering “well-needed reduction forward of the vacations and serving to to stem the rise in inflation.”