Ohio gas price increase hits drivers where it hurts

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Gas prices in South Central Ohio jumped by 16 cents this week to average at $2.272 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

All states in the Great Lakes and Central states saw gasoline prices increase on the week, on average by six cents. Five states saw some of the country’s largest price increases this week, including Ohio (+15 cents). As gas prices increase, stockpiles fell in the region by 1.2 million barrels, indicating an increase in regional demand.

This week’s average prices: South Central Ohio Average $2.272

Average price during the week of July 3, 2017 $2.111

Average price during the week of July 11, 2016 $2.173

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

$2.351 Athens

$2.247 Chillicothe

$2.235 Columbiana

$2.107 East Liverpool

$2.243 Gallipolis

$2.253 Hillsboro

$2.354 Ironton

$2.281 Jackson

$2.262 Logan

$2.279 Marietta

$2.341 Portsmouth

$2.296 Steubenville

$2.233 Washington Court House

$2.331 Waverly

On the National Front

For the first time in five weeks, the national average gas price is increasing. At $2.26, today’s price has been moving higher since July 6 and is three cents more than last week. The moderate price surge follows a week of solid demand growth and a third straight week of gasoline inventory drawdowns across the country.

Of the states seeing jumps in gas prices, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky top the charts with double-digit increases. Thirteen states, mostly on the West Coast and in the Rockies, saw prices decrease by pennies. Across the country, consumers can find gas for $2.25 or less at 58 percent of gas stations.

Last week’s market losses continued into Monday morning, with West Texas Intermediate opening just below $44 per barrel. Last week’s EIA report showed encouraging trends for the market, revealing increased gasoline demand and a decrease in crude storage levels. Typically, this would lead the market to believe that increasing gasoline demand is beginning to drain the glut of crude that has kept prices low for most of the year. However, some new information has indicated that the glut of crude oil may be replenishing at a faster rate than expected, including an increase in U.S. oil rigs and an increase in oil production from Libya and Nigeria.

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]AAA.com/mobile.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 81 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members. Past news releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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