PITTSBURGH — Gas prices are hitting near historic highs in southwestern Pennsylvania.
In some spots, gas is selling for as much as $4.19 a gallon. We haven’t seen prices this high since the recession of 2008.
Prices have been on a steady increase for weeks, and they’ve only gotten more expensive since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Seeing prices jump 30 cents in some areas is certainly a shock to the system.
“I feel on edge, it’s getting ridiculous,” said resident Keith Butler, while filling up his tank. He stopped to fill up in Pittsburgh’s south side, at one of the few gas stations offering gas under $4 a gallon.
According to AAA, the highest ever recorded gas price average in Pittsburgh was $4.05 per gallon in 2008. The price average is getting close to that again, sitting at $3.95 per gallon right now.
Resident Sideharth Kawar paid well over that to fill up just a few miles away.
“That’s too much for some people, it burns a hole in your pocket,” Kawar said.
With the rise in gas prices, AAA says there are ways to save, such as:
- Slowing down
- Reducing the weight in your car
- Avoiding slamming on the gas to go
- Using cruise control as much as possible
- Keeping your tires properly inflated
For Butler and Kawar, driving will be kept to a minimum until prices come down.
AAA says that gas prices have gone up every day this week, and trends are showing they may continue to go up before they come back down again.