COLUMBUS, Ohio – Central Ohio motorists who’ve filled up in the last couple days will have noticed that gas prices are rising and the long, brutal winter may be at least partly to blame.
The cost for a gallon of regular gas in Columbus was averaging $3.46 in Tuesday’s survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX Inc. That’s 3 cents more than last Monday and 21 cents more than a month ago.
The statewide average price of $3.44 is 3 cents higher than last week, the third straight week the price has risen.
Cold winter weather has increased demand for heating oil, which has driven up the price of crude. The benchmark price U.S. crude oil rose above $100.50 a barrel on Monday.
Price jumps of more than a dime over the past two weeks in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan may be signaling a start to the anticipated seasonal increase, AAA public relations manager Michael Green says.
The national average is about $3.36 per gallon, which is up 7 cents from last week.