COLUMBUS, Ohio – Gas prices in central Ohio are higher for the fifth week in a row.
The average cost for a gallon of regular gas in Columbus was $3.75, eight cents higher than a week ago and 18 cents higher than the price a month ago, according to Monday’s survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX Inc.
Ohio’s statewide average price was $3.70, up about 2 cents from a week ago, 16 cents higher than a month ago, and about 5 cents higher than last year at this time.
Analysts say suppliers have allowed supplies of winter-blend gasoline to dwindle over the past few weeks because they will not be able to sell it after May 1. That, coupled with increased demand and high crude oil prices, have driven the price at the pump upward, AAA public relations manager Mike Green said.
The national average Monday was 3.67 per gallon. That’s up 3 cents from last week, and it’s 15 cents higher than a month ago.
Department of Energy forecasters expect the April through September national average to be about $3.57 a gallon, a little lower than the past few summers.