Gas prices are climbing in western Pennsylvania.

This week, the average price is $3.45 a gallon—up seven cents from last week, according to AAA.

Nationally, gas prices rose five cents to $3.12 a gallon.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average $3.448

Average price during the week of Jan. 13, 2025 $3.376

Average price during the week of Jan. 22, 2024 $3.401

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:

$3.509 Altoona
$3.411 Beaver
$3.573 Bradford
$3.212 Brookville
$3.477 Butler
$3.457 Clarion
$3.435 DuBois
$3.436 Erie
$3.441 Greensburg
$3.489 Indiana
$3.399 Jeannette
$3.465 Kittanning
$3.460 Latrobe
$3.456 Meadville
$3.553 Mercer
$3.340 New Castle
$3.460 New Kensington
$3.459 Oil City
$3.453 Pittsburgh
$3.306 Sharon
$3.472 Uniontown
$3.597 Warren
$3.454 Washington

The increase is tied to oil prices, which are hovering around $80 a barrel. Higher global demand for winter heating fuel and new U.S. sanctions on Russia’s energy sector are driving up costs. Oil makes up more than half the price of gas, so when oil prices rise, gas prices follow.

Despite the increase, 26 states still have gas prices below $3 a gallon. Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is eight cents more than a month ago and five cents more than a year ago.

Meanwhile, gasoline demand in the U.S. dropped slightly last week, while domestic gasoline stocks and production both increased. Crude oil inventories, however, fell by two million barrels and remain below the five-year average for this time of year.