GAS PRICES PITTSBURGH: Gas prices set new record-high in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — Gas prices are soaring to new heights in Pittsburgh.

On Tuesday, the region hit a new record: $4.362/gallon, according to AAA. That’s just one tick higher than the previous record of $4.361 set on March 10.

“It’s ridiculous,” said driver Darlene Epps from Brighton Heights. “The gas is too high. They need to bring it down.”

AAA says Pittsburgh drivers are paying $0.19 more on average than this time last week and $0.16 more per gallon than the national average.

For driver Donald Brown, from Bellevue, the pain at the pump is really taking a toll.

“I have to limit my riding, wherever I go,” he said. “I don’t go out much because you can’t afford it.”

Epps is feeling the strain, too.

“People need to go to work,” she said. “It’s hard to get to work and fill up your gas tank. It’s taking all of your money when you get paid and put it back into your gas tank.”

Experts with AAA say the elevated prices are due in part to higher processing costs for summer blend fuel, higher demand from drivers hitting the roads in warmer months and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

To combat the rising costs, the agency recommends drivers slow down, consolidate the number of trips they take, and adjust their budgets accordingly.

“Make sure you’re doing what you need to with your household budget so you don’t feel the pressure to not fill up,” said AAA spokesperson Jim Garrity.

Drivers can also use tools like GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas stations near them.

Check out the heat map for average unleaded gas prices around the country for both Canada and the US. Type in your city to see a local gas prices map.

AAA recommends these tips to conserve fuel:

Slow down and drive the speed limit. On the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph.
Reduce trips and lighten your load. Limit the amount of cargo in your vehicle when possible. Combine errands, and possibly aim to get all of your errands done on one day of the week. Also, consider using the more fuel-efficient vehicle in your household more often.
Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard acceleration. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption. Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate throttle. This allows the automatic transmission to upshift into higher gears sooner, reducing engine rpm and saving fuel.
Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine. Even in winter, idling, and warming up an engine are unnecessary and wastes fuel.
Look ahead. When approaching a red light or stop sign, take your foot off the gas early and allow your car to coast down to a slower speed until it is time to brake.
Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on wet roads because a loss of vehicle control could result.
Take advantage of fuel savings programs.
Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflation reduces fuel economy, but more importantly, tires low on air affect handling and braking, wear more rapidly and can overheat and blowout.
Maintain the vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular maintenance will ensure optimum fuel economy, performance and longevity.
Make all necessary repairs. Take the vehicle to a trusted repair facility as soon as possible if the “Check Engine” light comes on.