Average retail gasoline prices in the Pittsburgh area have fallen in the last week to an average of $3.54 per gallon, two cents lower than the national average. That's lower than last year and down about 23¢ from last month.
Patrick DeHaan is a senior petroleum analyst in Chicago for GasBuddy.com, which tracks gas prices at 140,000 stations in the U.S. and Canada. He said prices are down because recent jobs reports have thrown into question the whole economic recovery.
"If we were to see a sudden improvement in the economy, you can bet that gas prices would go right back up, so for folks out there wondering what the future holds for gas prices, it will largely be tied to economic improvement," DeHaan said.
DeHaan said since 2008, prices have peaked in May and dropped in June. Even though this year's peak was in April, he said it's no surprise to see the drop in June.
GasBuddy offers a free smartphone app to help motorists find gasoline prices in their area.
