COLUMBUS – The recent climb in oil prices is showing up at the gas pump in central Ohio, where gas prices have also been rising steadily.
According to a daily survey by the auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX, Inc., the average retail price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Columbus Monday morning was $2.38, a 12-cent increase over the price a week earlier and 22 cents higher than two weeks ago.
Ohio’s price to start the week was 10 cents above the national average price in Monday’s survey.
The national average this time last year was $2.74. Ohioans were paying an average of about $2.73 at the same time in 2015.
The price at the pump in central Ohio has risen 93 cents since Feb 8.
Gas prices have been rising partly due to more expensive crude oil costs brought about by wildfires in Canada and supply disruptions in other oil-producing countries.
Benchmark U.S. crude fell in Friday’s trading but remains above $48 per barrel.
The statewide average in Ohio Monday morning was 20 cents higher than on April 23 but 35 cents cheaper than one year ago.
The U.S. average was $2.28 a gallon.