South Central Ohio gas prices increased by a nickel this week to $2.423 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

On the National Front

The national average price of gas continues to increase, reaching today’s average of $2.37 per gallon, the highest since June 2016. Gas prices have moved higher by almost three cents per gallon on the week and 17 cents per gallon on the month. Retail prices have increased for 40 of the past 42 days as a result of market reactions to the OPEC oil cut agreement. Traders and industry alike will keep a close eye on OPEC compliance as they await the release of the first output report which is expected in mid-February.

According to the latest EIA report, regional Midwest inventories remain abundant and production from regional refineries is also high, however, pump prices in the region remain volatile, with Ohio (+5 cents) seeing weekly increases and a monthly increase (+27 cents) that ranks in the nation’s top 10 largest increases.

Early Monday morning crude oil prices traded lower as a result of increased Iranian oil exports and reports of increased U.S. drilling. Also impacting markets are reports of increased U.S. rig counts. According to a report from Baker Hughes, U.S. drillers added four more rigs, bringing the total U.S. rig count to 529. Increased oil production by the U.S. may keep a temporary cap on prices, but traders will continue to monitor how OPEC cuts and increased Iranian exports impact the market. At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate closed up 23 cents to settle at $53.99 per barrel.

This week’s average prices: South Central Ohio Average $2.423

Average price during the week of Jan. 3, 2017 $2.376

Average price during the week of Jan. 11, 2016 $1.895

Here is the price per gallon of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:

$2.490 Athens

$2.389 Chillicothe

$2.271 Columbiana

$2.340 East Liverpool

$2.480 Gallipolis

$2.378 Hillsboro

$2.431 Ironton

$2.441 Jackson

$2.468 Logan

$2.429 Marietta

$2.472 Portsmouth

$2.448 Steubenville

$2.418 Washington Court House

$2.466 Waverly

Drivers can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad, and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.