COLUMBUS – If the trend continues, gas prices could reach their lowest level of the year before Christmas.
Ohio motorists enjoyed the benefit of the nation’s biggest weekly decline — 14 cents between Nov. 19-26, according to the auto club AAA.
The statewide average of $2.23 made Ohio one of 11 states in the Midwest/Great Lakes region with less expensive year-over-year prices.
“Trends are indicating that the month of December may bring some of the cheapest gas prices of the year,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “Currently, 19 states already have gas price averages less expensive than a year ago so as U.S. gasoline demand remains low and supply plentiful, motorists can expect to save at the pump as long as the price of crude oil doesn’t spike.”
The average retail price in Columbus Wednesday morning was $2.17 a gallon, 20 cents less expensive than a week ago and the lowest price since February, according to a daily survey by the AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX, Inc.
Average prices in central Ohio ranged from the low of $2.10 in Licking County to $2.25 a gallon in Fairfield County.
The national average was lowest in January at $2.49 while May brought the most expensive price of $2.97.