Hitting the road? Here’s where gas prices are lowest and highest across central PA
Pennsylvania gas prices are at a record-breaking high this week, at an average price of $4.238 a gallon, surpassing the previous record set in 2008, according to the AAA.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused a surge in gas prices around the U.S. as Russia is the second-largest producer of crude oil, after the U.S.
Nationally, gas prices have risen to an average of $4.065 a gallon, and Pennsylvania is not the only state seeing record-breaking prices. California’s is averaging $5.343 a gallon.
Amid the price surge, Pennsylvania is now the 10th most expensive gas market in the country, according to AAA. Prices are highest on the eastern side of the state, closest to Philadelphia, but Pittsburgh has also seen prices rise to $4.219.
Where is gas cheapest in central Pennsylvania?
The average gas price in Centre County is at $4.185, but prices are lower in eastern counties, with Clearfield at $4.135 and Cameron at $4.099.
The Quick Fuel on Atherton is at $3.99 a gallon, the lowest price in the State College area, according to GasBuddy.
What can I do to lower my gas costs?
GasBuddy has provided several tips for drivers to make the most of their mileage:
- Drive at lower speeds
- Avoid accelerating quickly or breaking hard
- Check your tire pressure
- Use cruise control on longer drives
- Avoid heavy loads and pack light
What can Biden do?
The U.S. and 30 other countries have agreed to release 60 million barrels of oil from reserves to help stop the rapid rise of gas prices across the globe. Half of the barrels will come from U.S. reserves, a fraction of the 580 million barrels the country has in reserves, according to data from U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The U.S. has not banned Russian oil imports yet, but it could be on the horizon, according to Reuters.
A bipartisan bill to ban the import of Russian oil was introduced by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Ala., Thursday.
The U.S. has far less reliance on Russian oil than many European countries as Russian oil makes up only 8% of U.S. oil imports, but a ban would still drive up gas prices.
This story was originally published March 7, 2022 at 4:45 PM.