Gas prices in Pennsylvania are almost 4 cents higher this week at $4.216 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The Pennsylvania average on Tuesday was $4.216, compared to $4.178 last week.

Last year this time the price was $3.002

The average price in the Lehigh Valley is $4.225.

Despite several weeks of declining prices, the national average for a gallon of regular gas has risen three cents over the past week to $4.13. Concerns that less Russian oil will enter the global market combined with fears of a COVID-induced economic slowdown in China are causing oil prices to hover around $100 a barrel. As long as the price of oil stays elevated, pump prices could continue to trend upward. This week’s national average is still 11 cents less than a month ago but $1.24 more than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by nearly 1 million barrels to 232.3 million barrels last week. Gasoline demand increased slightly from 8.73 million barrels per day to 8.86 million barrels per day. Although supply and demand factors would have typically supported elevated pump prices, the fluctuating oil price continues to be the main factor influencing prices at the pump.

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