COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Gas prices in the Columbus area have been fluctuating up and down for the better part of the past two months. Last week was no different with prices jumping by over a quarter.
According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations, the cost for a gallon of gas rose by 27.6 cents to $3.69 per gallon. The current price is 23.5 cents per gallon higher than one month ago and 13.2 cents higher than this time one year ago.
The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $3.42 a gallon, while the most expensive was $3.79, a difference of 37 cents per gallon. In Ohio, the average price of gas also rose by nearly a quarter (24.2 cents per gallon), from one week ago, averaging out at $3.64, while nationally, gas prices rose slightly (4.3 cents) to $3.64 per gallon.
According to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, refinery maintenance continues to push prices higher, but other factors could spell relief soon.
“The next few weeks should see many refineries wrapping up their work and gasoline output should rise, putting downward pressure on gasoline prices soon,” said De Haan. “I’m hopeful with reduced concern in the Middle East and an end to the seasonal factors pushing prices up that Americans will soon see relief.”
