While gas prices in Pennsylvania have dipped a little lately, AAA is projecting a spike in prices in the next few weeks.
That could push the statewide average price for a gallon of regular past the $3 mark.
“There’s going to be a significant turn, a spike, in the next few weeks,” AAA spokesperson Kathleen Miller said.
Miller puts the blame for more expensive gas on Hurricane Harvey.
“Because of the hurricane, a lot of the refineries that will supply the Northeast will gasoline…they postponed their fall maintenance until the spring,” she said. “When they do maintenance, their production is limited…which means there is a limited supply and prices go up.”
Miller says gas prices in Pennsylvania have not been this high since 2014, when the peak price was $3.81.
The latest update from AAA East Central put Butler’s average gas price at $2.91.
AAA does offer some suggestions for drivers on a budget.
-AAA has an app so you can compare local prices and find the least expensive gas near you
-AAA suggests making sure your tires are properly inflated because it will help with gas mileage
-AAA also suggest maintaining the speed limit to conserve gas and also to be safe