COLUMBUS – Gas prices did another hairpin turn to start the work week, jumping 20 cents since last Monday.
The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Columbus was $2.32, compared with just $2.12 on March 27, according to a daily survey from the auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX, Inc.
While prices nationwide have been relatively stable, the Great Lakes and Midwest continue to see some of the biggest price swings in the country, both up and down, in a pattern that dates back to early February.
AAA has said gas prices would rise as refiners switch from winter-blend to summer-blend gasoline, but uncertainty over a possible extension of an agreed crude oil production cut by oil-exporting countries has kept retail price fluctuations narrow.
Ohio’s average price was $2.31, 18 cents higher than last week, the biggest price hike in the nation and well above the $2 average from a year ago.
The national average rose to about $2.33 on Monday, its highest average since January. The national average was lower at this time last year at $2.06.