The invasion of Ukraine by Russia is having a ripple effect on the oil market, which in turn will impact the price of gasoline in the United States, AAA reported last week.

The national average for a gallon of gas has risen to $3.54, 5 cents more than a week ago, 21 cents more than a month ago and 90 cents more than a year ago. In Lehighton last Wednesday, the price was $3.65 a gallon.

Thursday morning, AAA reported the average gas price in Carbon County was $3.68, with Schuylkill and Monroe counties reporting an average of $3.75. Northampton had an average of $3.73, and Lehigh COunty was highest at $3.76.

According to AAA, gas prices in Pennsylvania are 4 cents higher last week, at $3.735 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The average price in Pennsylvania is $3.735, compared to $3.694 the previous week. However it’s 83 cents higher than last year, when the average was $2.905 on Feb. 22.

Residents are reacting in different ways. According to a post on the Times News (our parent newspaper) Facebook page, some people are going wherever they need to, while others are planning their trips to cut down on gas use.

Larissa Barachie posted, “You have to make cuts elsewhere. You need to make time to get away no matter what. It’s good for the soul.”

People working from home are counting themselves lucky. Barb Koch posted, “I’m happy I’m working from home. I also fill my tank when it’s at half so it doesn’t hurt as much.”

Cindy Lesisko Henning said, “Glad I work remotely 50 percent of the time. Between tolls and gas doesn’t pay to work anymore.”

Add higher grocery store prices to the mix.

One poster on a fixed income said, “SS gave us a 5.8 percent increase and Medicare took 5 percent of it. Got an ‘extra’ $50 a month and that gets left in the grocery store.”

Some people posted that they are taking advantage of grocery store gas points.

And they are preparing for prices to go higher.

With severe financial sanctions led by the United States and its allies, AAA said Russia could retaliate by withholding oil from the world market, which is already dealing with tight supplies as countries loosen COVID restrictions. Russia is one of the leading oil producers globally, behind only the United States and Saudi Arabia.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 1.3 million barrels to 247.1 million barrels last week. On the other hand, gasoline demand fell from 9.13 million barrels per day to 8.57 million barrels per day. Typically, a decrease in gas demand during the winter would put downward pressure on pump prices, but elevated crude prices continue to push pump prices higher.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.