PITTSBURGH — The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is five cents higher this week at $2.774 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in Bradford was $2.852; Brookville, $2.838; DuBois, $2.762; Erie, $2.834; and Warren, $2.859.

At $2.46, the national gas price average is more expensive on the week (+4 cents), the month (+16 cents) and the year (+2 cents). This past Saturday was the first time in 340 days the national average was more expensive than a year ago. Today, nearly two-thirds of all state gas price averages are more expensive year-over-year. Pump prices continue to climb, in part due to expensive crude oil and the market’s growing optimism that demand will increase amid the vaccination roll-out.