COLUMBUS – Higher oil prices and refinery issues have driven central Ohio gas prices up 25 cents in the past month.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Columbus was $2.31 in Monday’s survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX Inc. That’s up from $2.06 at the same time last month and 8 cents higher than the average price a week ago.
The 8-cent jump comes on the heels of a 14-cent increase last week in Ohio, the largest 14 in the nation. Analysts say the hike can likely be attributed to issues at BP’s Whiting refinery in northwest Indiana, the region’s largest, which is still undergoing planned maintenance associated with the switch from summer- to winter-blend fuel as well as unscheduled maintenance.
The average price in the state on Monday was 4 cents higher than a week ago and 3 cents higher than the national average of $2.26.
The average price in Ohio at the same time a year ago was $2.50. The national average at this time last year was $2.32.