COLUMBUS – Central Ohio drivers are seeing higher prices at the gas pump than a week ago, though an overall trend toward lower prices continues.
The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Columbus Monday morning was $2.43, a whopping 22 cents higher than a week ago but well below the nationwide average of $2.59, according to a daily survey from the AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX, Inc.
The average price of gasoline nationwide has dropped 11 cents over the past two weeks, according to Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg’s biweekly survey of gas stations conducted on Friday. She says a drop in oil prices and greater production have kept pace with an increase in driving.
“Our demand is really racing, both seasonally and year-on-year,” she said. “But refineries are more than keeping up with that so the twin factors [in lower gas prices] are lower crude oil prices and what U.S. refiners are doing with those barrels.”
The AAA last week predicted the nationwide average price would fall at least another 15 cents after the Labor Day holiday, when the summer driving season comes to an end and refiners begin producing cheaper winter-blend gasoline.
The average price in Ohio is 11 cents higher than last Monday but 21 cents lower than on July 10.