COLUMBUS – Ohioans taking to the road for the Fourth of July holiday weekend will have lots of company.
The auto club AAA is predicting a record volume of travelers for the five-day holiday period, with nearly 1.6 million Ohioans driving at least 50 miles from home.
AAA says lower gas prices, higher consumer confidence and a better economy are behind the rise. While Ohio gas prices spiked during June to some of the highest in the country, they have decreased and are not expected to impact holiday travel numbers.
Average gas prices for Ohio locations (July 1):
Akron $2.21
Cincinnati $2.39
Cleveland $2.24
COLUMBUS $2.21
Dayton $2.30
Toledo $2.11
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in the state was $2.25 on Friday, about 3 cents lower than the national average and less expensive than most neighboring states.
Average gas prices in surrounding states:
Indiana $2.19
OHIO $2.25
W. Virginia $2.37
Kentucky $2.28
Michigan $2.38
Penna. $2.43Source: AAA
Last year, Ohio’s Independence Day gas prices averaged $2.72 a gallon. In 2014, Ohio gas prices averaged $3.59 a gallon on the holiday.
At $2.21 a gallon, the average price in central Ohio Friday morning was the lowest since 2004 and drivers could find fuel for as low as $2.03 a gallon, according to the website ColumbusGasPrices.com
During last year’s Fourth of July reporting period from July 2 to July 5, the Ohio State highway Patrol says a total of eight fatal crashes killed 10 people. Three of the fatal crashes, which killed three people, were blamed on drunk driving.
To help travelers avoid traffic jams, the Ohio Department of Transportation has rolled out a new smartphone app app – OHGO – for personal traffic alerts, information on road construction and travel delays, and hands-free voice on the go. The app is available on the App Store and Google Play.