Gas Prices Drop for the Second Week

The national average for a gallon of gas has dropped 9 cents to begin March, which is opposite of what motorists are used to, according to AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report. The price increased by 6 cents last year at this time and by 17 cents in 2011.

In the Lehigh Valley, gas prices dropped four cents, from $3.72 a gallon to an average of $3.68, the second week in a row to see that decline.

It is too soon to say whether retail prices have peaked for the spring, because there is still refinery maintenance to be completed, and much of the country must still transition to summer-blend gasoline, the report states. Yet even if prices do increase, AAA predicts that the national average will likely crest lower and earlier than recent years.

The national average retail price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline is $3.703, down 3.4 cents from a week ago. In Pennsylvania, the average price is about $3.723

Nearby, the cheapest price for regular was—as of Wednesday morning— $3.61 at the Turkey Hill on Morgan Hill Road in Williams Township.

If you spotted a better price, tell us in comments.

3/12/13

WEEK AGO

YEAR AGO

National

$3.703

$3.737

$3.801

Pennsylvania

$3.723

$3.765

$3.765

Bucks/Montgomery Area

$3.709

$3.744

$3.767

Lehigh Valley

$3.685

$3.727

$3.744

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According to AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report, the current national average retail price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline is $3.703 down 3.4 cents from a week ago, up 12.1 cents from last month and 9.8 cents lower than a year ago. In Pennsylvania, today’s average price of self-serve gasoline is $3.723 per gallon down 4.2 cents from a week ago, the same from a month ago and 4.2 cents lower than a year ago. In the Lehigh Valley, the average price of self-serve gasoline is $3.685 per gallon, 4.2 cents lower than a week ago, 2.5 cents lower than a month ago and 5.9 cents lower than a year ago. In the Philadelphia market, the average price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is $3.709 per gallon which is down 3.5 cents from a week ago, 1.2 cents lower than a month ago and 5.8 cents lower than a year ago.