COLUMBUS – Gas prices increased Monday morning after trending downward for nearly three months.
Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg says her Lundberg Survey reported a one-cent price increase over the last two weeks after 11 weeks of decline.
The average price in Columbus has declined by five cents during that period to $2.22 a gallon, according to a daily survey from the auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX, Inc. However, the price is 11 cents higher than a week ago.
The statewide average of $2.22 is 7 cents higher than last week but is still 6 cents lower than the national average.
She predicts drivers will see additional price increases this summer and analysts at AAA agree. They forecast the summer national gas price average will increase by at least 10 cents and might top this year’s highest national average gas price of $2.42.
The summer season’s strong demand is expected to stay on pace and may even set a new record high between now and Labor Day.