Gas prices continue to rise across Pennsylvania. Here’s ways to save money and avoid the pump

As gas prices hit an all-time national high, driving is set to become increasingly more expensive.

President Joe Biden announced Tuesday morning the U.S. would ban any imports of Russian oil, coal or natural gas. This comes after heavy global sanctions against Russia following the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

“We’re banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy,” Biden said in an address from the White House. “That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at U.S. ports and the American people will deal another powerful blow to Putin’s war machine.”

Russian oil only accounts for 8% of all oil imports to the U.S., but the ban is still likely to drive up gas prices.

The national average price of a gallon of gas Wednesday was $4.252, and in Pennsylvania, gas averaged $4.390, according to AAA. National prices are the most expensive in history, breaking previous records from 2008.

Ride services

Uber and Lyft are common ride-sharing apps with drivers in Centre County. Although useful, rideshares can be expensive. RideorDrive has an online calculator that can help weigh the costs of a vehicle compared to rideshare service costs over time.

You can also consider carpooling with friends or coworkers to cut down on gas. Commuter Services of Pennsylvania has a matching system to connect carpool partners on its website.

The Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) also has a program to help long-distance commuters find rides to and from work. Online registration can be found on its website.

Rentals

Downtown State College and University Park campus has Spin e-bikes available to rent. Users can download the Spin app to find and rent electronic bikes around campus and the downtown area. Bikers must be at least 18-years-old and follow all traffic laws.

Rental fees are $1 per ride and bikes cost $0.25 per minute, per ride.

Public Transport

CATA offers more than a dozen community bus routes and a four-route campus bus system. Campus bus services are free, but community bus services cost $2.20 per one way trip.

Passes are also available online for unlimited rides on all CATA community buses for $86 per month or $337 for a four-month pass.

Long distances

The rise in gas prices won’t only be affecting drivers at the pumps, it will also be driving up flight prices.

Patrick De Haan, energy analysis and writer at GasBuddy, said jet fuel prices are increasing by $0.50 a gallon, in a tweet posted Tuesday. De Haan said the cost to fill a Boeing 777, one of the worlds most popular commercial aircraft models, has increased $22,600.

Megabus offers rides to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York City and Baltimore from State College. Trips and availability can be found on the website.

Amtrak and Greyhound also have buses that run to State College.