COLUMBUS – The price of gasoline has jumped 7 cents nationally over the past two weeks, according to one national survey, but that’s kids’ stuff compared to what drivers in central Ohio have experienced.
The average price of a gallon of regular-grade gasoline has climbed a whopping 30 cents in Columbus since Oct. 23, to $2.64, according to a daily survey from the auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX, Inc.
That is 11 cents higher than the national average as the Great Lakes and Midwest continues to see gas prices increase more than any other region in the country, according to AAA analysts.
Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey said Sunday that the 7-cent-a-gallon spike her nationwide survey recorded is a result of several factors, including higher oil prices while the auto club also cited demand that was the highest in 11 years for late October.
Analysts also point to a leak in a major pipeline that transports fuel to the Midwest from the Gulf Coast and regular refinery maintenance which Lundberg says was delayed by Hurricane Harvey, which caused extensive flooding in the Houston area.
Lundberg also warned that a hike in wholesale prices Friday have not been reflected at the retail level so prices may get worse before they get better.