Study finds Pennsylvanians are working more than neighbors to fill up their gas tanks

Drivers should see a break at the pump this Labor Day weekend

• Rachel McDevitt/StateImpact Pennsylvania
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  I report on energy and the environment for StateImpact Pennsylvania at WITF.
  
  My work focuses on responses and solutions to climate change in the state legislature and communities around the state. I trace my interest in these issues back to my time as a Girl Scout and this episode of Rocko’s Modern Life.
  
  I look forward to winter just for the chance to ski a few times each season. I try to keep myself from doom-scrolling on my phone by keeping my hands busy knitting and learning to play the piano.
  
  I grew up in Cambria County, Pa. and graduated from Temple University. I started at WITF just after Christmas in 2014.

 Gene J. Puska / The Associated Press

In this Nov. 16, 2018, file photo, a gas pump nozzle fills up gas in a car at a pump in West Mifflin, Pa

Gene J. Puska / The Associated Press

In this Nov. 16, 2018, file photo, a gas pump nozzle fills up gas in a car at a pump in West Mifflin, Pa

(Harrisburg) — Ahead of the Labor Day weekend, a new study shows how much people in all 50 states “labor” on average to fill their gas tanks.

The price-tracking website Gasbuddy found people in the commonwealth need to work an average of 86.6 hours annually to fill their gas tanks.

That’s lower than most states, including neighboring Ohio and West Virginia.

“I think what goes into that is the fact that at least some areas, eastern Pennsylvania, have more access to mass transit that may limit the amount of gasoline demand,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

Pennsylvanians work at least eight hours more on average than people in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York to gas up for the year.

Drivers are getting a break at the pump this holiday weekend, with the lowest projected Labor Day gas prices in three years.

That’s good news for the estimated 3.6 million motorists expected to travel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike between Thursday, August 29th and Tuesday, September 3rd.

According to Gasbuddy, prices are around $2.66 per gallon in the Harrisburg area and $2.73 per gallon statewide.

DeHaan said prices are cheaper in neighboring states.

“If you’re crossing state lines, I would urge motorists to shop around simply because the cost savings can be substantial,” he said.

DeHaan said prices generally decline through the fall and bottom out between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

However, if the U.S. reaches a trade agreement with China soon that could signal an economic boost and drive prices higher.

A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.

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