Gas prices in South Central Ohio are two cents more expensive this week at $2.199 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

While most of the country is seeing decreases at the pump, gas prices have increased this week for motorists in some Great Lakes and Central States (Ohio, +6 cents). Conversely, gas prices are as much as eight cents cheaper for other states in the region. Overall, demand has declined and supply has increased on the week. The differences in prices highlights the volatility that the Great Lakes and Central region often experiences.

This week’s average prices: South Central Ohio Average: $2.199

Average price during the week of Dec. 3, 2018 $2.175

Average price during the week of Dec. 11, 2017 $2.413

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:

$2.215 Athens

$2.162 Chillicothe

$2.039 Columbiana

$2.113 East Liverpool

$2.199 Gallipolis

$2.210 Hillsboro

$2.069 Ironton

$2.246 Jackson

$2.235 Logan

$2.255 Marietta

$2.190 Portsmouth

$2.242 Steubenville

$2.361 Washington Court House

$2.255 Waverly

On the National Front

Today’s national gas price average of $2.42 is the lowest pump price of the year, a price point not seen since mid-December last year. The average sits at four cents cheaper than last week, 28-cents cheaper than last month and four cents less than last year. The last time the national average was cheaper on the week, month and year was during July 2017.

With crude oil prices trending cheaper, motorists can expect the national gas price average to continue to drop. However, pump prices this cheap may not last into 2019. On Friday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced that the cartel and non-OPEC members, including Russia, will reduce production by 1.2 million b/d for the first six months of the year. While the decision will help to reduce the high level of global crude supply, the move has the potential to increase oil and gas prices. At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate increased $1.12 to settle at $52.61. Oil prices rallied at the end of last week after OPEC’s announcement.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 80 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members. News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.