AAA: Spring Gas Prices Lowest in 3 Years

March has seen a steady decline in gas prices to the point that gas is cheaper now than last year.

AAA continues to predict that the national average will crest lower than recent years and we head deeper into spring, according to AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report. In 2011 the national average for regular unleaded peaked at $3.98 on May 5. In 2012 the price peaked at $3.94 on April 5. The national average this week is $3.658 for a gallon, down 3.4 cents from last week.

In Bucks and Montgomery Counties, gas prices dropped another 2.6 cents a gallon to an average of $3.651, that’s 19.7 cents lower than last year’s prices.

The Pennsylvania average retail price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline is $3.673, down 2.5 cents from a week ago.

AAA reports that it is still too soon to say whether retail prices have already peaked for the spring because there is still refinery maintenance to be completed and much of the country has yet to transition to summer-blend gasoline.

Nearby, the cheapest price for regular is $3.79 at BP in Wrightstown. It is $3.65 at Hess in Northampton.

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

3/26/13

WEEK AGO

YEAR AGO

National

$3.658

$3.692

$3.897

Pennsylvania

$3.673

$3.698

$3.882

Bucks/Montgomery Area

$3.651

$3.677

$3.848

Lehigh Valley

$3.638

$3.661

$3.832