COLUMBUS – The price of gas in central Ohio crossed the $5-a-gallon barrier for the first time overnight as prices nationwide continue to climb daily.
According to the AAA, the average price for regular gasoline in the Columbus area Tuesday morning was $5.01 a gallon, a 19-cent jump in a single day. The average prices in Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield and Licking counties were all at or above $5.
“Prices have surged over the last week,” said GasBuddy.com senior analyst Patrick DeHaan, who attributes the rising prices to hikes in the cost of crude oil, strong demand, and weakened supply due to the closure of refineries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The statewide average price in Ohio Tuesday morning was $4.97, 52 cents higher than a week ago.
The national average of $4.92, an increase of 30 cents over the price one week ago.