COLUMBUS – Gas prices in Ohio are up compared with last week, but down from the average price two weeks ago, an illustration of the ever-changing nature of pump prices in the Midwest.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Columbus in Monday’s survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX Inc. was $2.18, 16 cents higher than one week ago but almost identical to the price on Sept. 5, as the summer driving season came to an end.
Recent gas prices in Columbus:
Aug. 29…….$2.07
Sept. 5…….$2.17
Sept. 12……$2.02
Sept. 19……$2.18
-AAA
The statewide average price was $2.17, an increase from $2.07 a week ago. The average price in Ohio at this time last month was $2.19 and $2.31 at this time a year ago.
The price has fluctuated dramatically as demand slowed after the Labor Day weekend, then supply tightened as oil inventories dropped and the price of crude oil went up, then dropped again.
Prices in Ohio are governed by the wholesale gasoline prices established on the notoriously volatile Chicago Board of Trade, according to analysts with the auto club.
The survey showed Ohio’s average price lower than the average for the nation. The national average of about $2.21 on Monday was up from $2.18 a week ago and from $2.14 at the same time last month. The average national price a year ago was $2.30.