The average price of gasoline across Pennsylvania is 5 cents higher this week at $2.628 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The average price in Pennsylvania was $2.828 Monday, up from $2.574 on Jan. 4.

That compares to $2.822 on Jan. 11,2020.

In the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area the average price on Monday was $2.608.

At $2.33, the national gas price average is at its highest in 10 months.

Pump prices have increased despite gas demand falling from 8.1 million barrels per day to 7.4 million barrels per day - the lowest level recorded since the end of May 2020, according to the Energy Information Administration’s latest weekly report.

Monday’s average is 7 cents more than last week, 17 cents more than a month ago, but still cheaper than last year by 25 cents.

Rising prices can be attributed largely to tightening supply and rising crude oil prices, which are outweighing decreasing demand.