Pennsylvania drivers are paying more at the pump as gasoline prices continue to rise across the state and nation, according to AAA East Central.

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Pennsylvania reached $4.30 this week, up 5 cents from $4.25 a week ago and nearly 92 cents higher than the $3.38 average recorded a year ago. In the Lehigh Valley, the average price climbed to $4.26 per gallon Sept. 8, compared with $4.18 on Aug. 25 and $3.26 on the same date last year.

AAA reported the national average increased 6 cents over the past week to $4.15 per gallon, making this Labor Day period the most expensive on record for motorists. The increase comes despite a seasonal decline in gasoline demand, which typically helps lower prices after the summer travel season.

Analysts attribute the higher prices largely to rising crude oil costs. Continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed oil prices above $90 per barrel, increasing costs throughout the fuel supply chain.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand fell from 9.04 million barrels per day to 8.92 million barrels per day last week. Domestic gasoline inventories also declined, dropping from 206.8 million barrels to 205.7 million barrels. Gasoline production remained steady at 9.8 million barrels per day.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed last week at $91.01 per barrel, up 79 cents. The EIA reported U.S. crude oil inventories decreased by 4.5 million barrels to 424.5 million barrels, a level still about 1% above the five-year average for this time of year.

Pennsylvania’s current statewide average remains below the record high of $5.07 per gallon set June 12, 2022. Philadelphia motorists are paying the highest prices in the state among major metropolitan areas, with an average of $4.36 per gallon.

AAA also noted the national average cost of electricity at public EV charging stations remained unchanged over the past week at 42 cents per kilowatt-hour.