COLUMBUS, Ohio – While gas prices nationwide have inched upward over the last two weeks, they have plummeted in central Ohio.
The average price of regular gasoline in the U.S. has risen 3 cents a gallon during the past two weeks, according to the bi-weekly Lundberg Survey. But, a survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX Inc. shows the average price in Columbus has fallen 13 cents since Aug. 26 to $3.49 a gallon.
Prices around Ohio have inched closer to the national average over the past month but remain slightly below it, according to the AAA survey.
The state average for a gallon of regular gas was $3.52 on Monday, a dime less than a week ago and a nickel cheaper than the national average of $3.57.
Both the state and national averages are 25 cents cheaper than a year ago. The national average is down two pennies from last week.
The price of oil reached a two-year high last week amid fear of escalating tension in the Middle East and hope for continued economic stimulus measures from the U.S. Federal Reserve.
The three-cent increase all but reverses a 4 percent decline posted two weeks ago, industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said.