Gas prices in South Central Ohio decreased by almost seven cents this week to $2.327 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

On the National Front

Today’s national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.41. This price is two cents more expensive than one week ago, 12 cents more than one month ago and 30 cents more than one year ago. The national average has now increased for 20 consecutive days, and pump prices in 43 states and Washington D.C. have moved higher over the last week. This increase was most prevalent in the East Coast region where refiners wrapped up seasonal turnaround resulting in significant prices increases last week.

Drivers in some parts of the Great Lakes region, including Ohio, experienced weekly declines at the pump. However, volatility in the region along with early turnaround by regional refineries resulted in significant monthly increases, with Ohio adding 16 cents. The latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) report shows that Midwest refiners raised capacity by 23,000 b/d last week, while gasoline stocks in the region dropped. The decline resulted in the lowest posted inventory numbers for the region in nearly three months.

Last week, crude oil futures held onto the week’s gains closing out above $53 per barrel. Competitive prices were led by reports that OPEC and non-OPEC compliance is above 90 percent and the countries are considering extending production cuts beyond June, the original end date for the agreement reached last November. Participating OPEC countries plan to meet on May 25 to discuss how an extension of their agreement could further rebalance global oil supply and inventory levels.

Markets opened Monday morning with less confidence, countered somewhat by growing U.S. production. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a larger-than-expected decline in oil stockpiles last week showing growth in U.S. oil output. National crude oil output reached a one-year high of an estimated 9.1 million b/d in March this year. At the close of last week’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate was up seven cents to settle at $53.18 per barrel.

This week’s average prices: South Central Ohio Average $2.327

Average price during the week of April 10, 2017 $2.392

Average price during the week of April 18, 2016 $2.129

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

$2.497 Athens

$2.346 Chillicothe

$2.218 Columbiana

$2.282 East Liverpool

$2.260 Gallipolis

$2.237 Hillsboro

$2.265 Ironton

$2.365 Jackson

$2.266 Logan

$2.364 Marietta

$2.410 Portsmouth

$2.307 Steubenville

$2.319 Washington Court House

$2.448 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.

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.