COLUMBUS, Ohio – Gas prices in Columbus are higher to begin the work week, but remain lower than the national average as a whole.
According to a daily report from AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX, Inc., the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Columbus Monday morning was $2.04, 5 cents higher than a week ago and 5 cents higher than the statewide average. Both the local and statewide average rices were lower than the national average price of $2.06 a gallon.
Retail gas prices nationwide are more than forty percent lower than their 2014 peak of $3.70. The national average continues to test lows not seen since May 2009, AAA public relations manager Michael Green said.
While prices increased in Ohio and two other Midwestern states last week, the same states still boast among the largest month-over-month declines in the nation: Ohio’s price jumped 16 cents from Jan. 5-12 but were 49 cents lower than on Dec. 12. Indiana’s price increased 7 cents but was 48 cents lower than the previous month and Michigan’s price, while up 4 cents week-to-week, was down 58 cents month-to-month).
Ohio motorists have also enjoyed one of the biggest year-over-year price drops in the country: $1.43.
While the price in Columbus and Ohio increased last week, the nationwide average continued to decline, dropping 7 cents.
The dramatic slide in retail gas prices has been driven by a similar plummet in global crude oil prices since the end of the summer, said Green.