Rising gas prices are putting a scare into motorists both locally as well as across western Pennsylvania as a whole this week.
According to AAA’s weekly gas price report, the average price for a gallon regular, unleaded, self-serve in Butler, as of Monday, increased another nine cents over the past week to $3.56 per gallon.
The average gas price across western Pennsylvania as a whole rose by seven cents during that same time to reach $3.58. The most affordable average price for gas in the area can be found in Beaver at $3.50 per gallon, while the most expensive is $3.67 in Mercer.
The average national gas price increased another six cents over the past week to $3.38 which is the highest in the past seven years. The high price of crude oil continues to be the main factor in current gas prices. Demand increased last week and AAA expects gas prices to remain elevated as long as the cost of crude is high and production is low.