COLUMBUS, Ohio – The price of a gallon of gasoline may soon start with a “2” across much the country, though central Ohio drivers who saw a spike at the pump earlier this week might be skeptical about that prediction.
Lower fuel prices help the economy by making goods cheaper to ship, making travel more affordable, and leaving a few extra dollars in drivers’ pockets.
Prices typically decline in autumn and this year they’re getting a big push lower from falling global oil prices. By the end of the year, up to 30 states could have an average gasoline price of under $3 a gallon, according to a forecast from GasBuddy.com.
Ohio motorists enjoyed the largest monthly drop in the nation as prices plummeted 24 cents last week to $3.19 a gallon Monday, according to the AAA, but the price quickly rebounded to $3.36 by Thursday.
That price is more in line with the rest of the national market, according to AAA Ohio spokeswoman Kim Schwind. The national average Friday morning was $3.34, about a dime below last year at this time and the lowest in more than seven months.
The benchmark price for crude oil remained low on Friday, just above $92.50 a barrel.