COLUMBUS, Ohio – Gas prices in central Ohio are still attached to a bungee cord, jumping 10 cents overnight after falling that much since Monday.
According to a daily survey from the AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX, Inc., the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Columbus Friday morning was $3.28, 11 cents more expensive that Thursday, which was in turn nine cents cheaper than the price on Monday.
Price fluctuations in the Midwest have been influenced by January’s extremely cold weather, AAA public relations manager Michael Green says. The cold can cause problems at refineries that drive prices higher, but can also decrease the demand for gas as motorists limit driving, which creates puts downward pressure, he said.
The average price in Ohio fell 12 cents during the two-week period that ended Monday, the biggest drop of any state during that period.
But, Green cautions that prices may rise in February as refineries start scaling back production for seasonal maintenance, limiting supplies and creating uncertainty.