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Gas prices continue to drop locally, nationally
Stacy Wescoe//July 6, 2026//
Gas prices continue to retreat heading out of the holiday weekend, with millions of drivers hitting the road for Independence Day trips and celebrations.
In Pennsylvania, the average price for a gallon of gas is five cents lower this week at $3.954, according to AAA East Central‘s Gas Price Report.
In the Lehigh Valley, the average price for a gallon of gas on July 6 was $3.688. That’s down from $3.713 the week prior, but still much higher than one year ago when the average price was $3.162
Nationally, the price is down 40 cents from a month ago and stands at an average of $3.79.
While that number is higher than last year, AAA said it’s a relief from this spring, when the national average peaked at $4.56 on May 21.
Crude oil prices have fallen to their lowest levels in months, dropping to the $65 per barrel range.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.77 million barrels per day to 9.13 million.
Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 216.3 million barrels to 214 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 10 million barrels per day.
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate fell 92 cents to settle at $68.58 a barrel.
The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 3.8 million barrels from the previous week. At 408.4 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 7% below the five-year average for this time of year.
