Gas prices in Pennsylvania fell almost three cents this week to $2.572 per gallon, according to AAA East Central's Gas Price Report.

On the National Front

Today's national average is $2.34 per gallon. This price remains flat from one week ago, seven cents less than a month ago, and 11 cents higher than a year ago. The latest Energy Information Association (EIA) report shows that gasoline demand increased by 252,000 barrels on the week. Despite the jump in demand, the continued oversupply of gasoline caused prices in most parts of the country to drop or remain steady with the exception of some states in the Great Lakes and Central regions, where prices increased by a penny or more.

In coming weeks, the onset of summer travel is likely to increase demand which might help dip into high gasoline stocks; however, it may not be enough demand to increase prices significantly.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states continued to see prices at the pump decline, notably Delaware, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Even with the price drop, Pennsylvania held its spot on the country's top 10 list of most expensive markets along with Washington, D.C. and New York.

On Monday morning, U.S. petroleum futures were just below $50 per barrel. Prices rallied after officials from Russia and Saudi Arabia announced that they plan to extend production cuts into March 2018. This news comes after OPEC released its May report, which warns that the global oil market will not rebalance by the end of the year unless there is a collective effort from all oil producers to increase market stability.

Last week, U.S. drillers added an additional nine oilrigs, bringing the total U.S rig count to 712 and marking 17 weeks of growth. The expected result of OPEC's actions is far from certain. Until it is, drivers may continue to benefit at the pump - even during the typically more expensive summer driving season.

Average Gas Prices:

Pennsylvania May 16, 2017 $2.572

Average price May 9 , 2017 $2.603

Average price May 16, 2016 $2.402

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton Average:

Average Price May 16, 2017 $2.495

Average price May 9, 2017 $2.542

Average Price May 16, 2016 $2.365

Philadelphia Average:

Average Price May 16, 2017 $2.560

Average price May 9, 2017 $2.591

Average Price May 16, 2016 $2.413

Motorists can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 81 local offices in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York and Kentucky serving more than 2.7 million members.