COLUMBUS, Ohio – Central Ohio drivers are enjoying gas prices hovering at or below the $3-a-galllon mark for the first time in nearly a year and drivers across the US are paying the lowest prices at the pump in more than two years.
The average retail price of gasoline in Columbus was $3.06 a gallon in Monday’s survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX Inc. That’s down a whopping 19 cents from this time last week.
AAA experts say retail costs continue to fall amid sufficient fuel supplies, lower crude oil prices and refineries shifting to less expensive winter-blend gasoline production.
The Ohio price of $3.08 was well under the national average of $3.19, which was 6 cents lower than a week ago.
Oil industry analyst Trilby Lundberg says the average price of regular, according to her survey of gas stations on Friday, has plummeted 15 cents per gallon over the past three weeks.
“This, right now, is the lowest price in almost two and three-quarters years,” she said.
The Columbus price has fallen 31 cents since Oct. 21.
AAA expects the national average price at the pump will drop to as low as $3.10 per gallon before the end of the year and many local prices will drop below $3 per gallon as the holidays draw near, public relations manager Michael Green said.
ColumbusGasPrices.com reports motorists will see pump prices as low as $2. 88 a gallon in Powell.