COLUMBUS – Although the price of a gallon of gasoline plummeted 15 cents during the first week of 2018, it began the second week about 8 cents higher than the price just before Christmas.
Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg, whose Lundberg Survey showed that the average price of a gallon of regular-grade gasoline jumped 3 cents nationally over the past three weeks, blamed the increase on higher crude oil costs.
She warned rising oil prices could drive up gas prices another 8 cents in the coming weeks.
The AAA’s daily survey of prices showed the average price in Columbus Monday morning was $3.38, compared with $2.53 on New Year’s Day.
The statewide average price in Ohio was 8 cents lower than a week ago and 4 cents higher than last year.
Auto club analysts say gasoline inventory increased alongside prices in the Great Lakes region, keeping increases small and lowering prices in some states.
Ohio’s average price was also 11 cents lower than the national average price of $2.49.