COLUMBUS, Ohio – After a run-up late last week, central Ohio gas prices are higher to start the work week.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Columbus was $3.49 in Monday’s survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX Inc. Two cents cheaper than Sunday, it is still 12 cents higher than a week ago and exactly what it was on July 4.
The statewide average price in Ohio was $3.47 a gallon, up a dime from last Monday but 12 cents lower than this time last month.
Prices at the pump in Columbus shot up late last week after several days of steady declines to more closely match prices found across the country. Monday’s national average was $3.50, which is 2 cents lower than a week ago, and 16 cents lower a month ago.
The national average price of gas posted the largest July decline in six years, falling 30 out of the 31 days during the month, to decline about 16 cents per gallon during the month.
Despite the spike in Ohio numbers, analysts say prices should stay lower during August as long as refinery production remains strong and oil prices don’t rise due to unexpected issues.