The average price of gasoline across Pennsylvania is about cents lower this week at $2.993 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Last week the average price was $3.022.

At $2.87, the national average has decreased week-over-week for the first time since November of last year. Since last Monday, 45 states also saw their averages decrease or no change at the pump.

Growing gasoline inventory levels and cheaper crude oil prices are putting downward pressure on pump prices for most motorists. Moreover, refinery utilization hit 82% indicating that we could see a larger build of stocks this week, which could help keep pump prices in check.

News of the stranded container ship in the Suez Canal affected the price of crude oil. While ships started to re-route last week, oil deliveries could be delayed. This is likely to have limited impact here as US oil production should be able to keep stateside supply balanced and in turn, prices stable until the canal clears.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.