The average price of gasoline across South Central Ohio is 10 cents cheaper this week at $2.381 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Gas prices are at least four cents cheaper across the Great Lakes and Central States, except in Michigan which is the only state in the country to see gas prices more expensive on the week. Statewide, the average price of gas in the Buckeye State is nine cents cheaper at $2.38.

Energy Information Administration (EIA) data show that regional gasoline stocks dipped by nearly 300,000 barrels. This is the region’s first decrease in stocks in more than two months, pushing total stocks to 57.9 million. With demand at a seasonally-appropriate low, motorists can expect gas prices to continue decreasing, although typical regional fluctuation is expected for some states including Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Illinois.

This week’s average prices: South Central Ohio Average: $2.381

Average price during the week of January 27, 2020 $2.481

Average price during the week of February 4, 2019 $2.151

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

$2.626 Athens

$2.382 Chillicothe

$2.475 Columbiana

$2.425 East Liverpool

$2.458 Gallipolis

$2.197 Hillsboro

$2.218 Ironton

$2.400 Jackson

$2.359 Logan

$2.491 Marietta

$2.311 Portsmouth

$2.231 Steubenville

$2.381 Washington Court House

$2.385 Waverly

On the National Front

The national gas price average is $2.47, which is four cents cheaper than last week and 11 cents cheaper than the beginning of the year. Gas prices are pushing cheaper for several reasons, including dropping crude oil prices and high inventory. Crude prices are about $10 less per-barrel than one month ago, and U.S. gasoline stocks sit at an all-time high. When combined with seasonally low demand, motorists nationwide can expect cheaper prices this month.

Motorists in at least a dozen states can find gas for less than $2/gallon. Those gas stations are mostly found in the South and Southeast. Today’s national average is 11 cents less than this time last month, but 22 cents more expensive than last year.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate dropped by 58 cents to settle at $51.56. For the second week, crude prices have decreased as a result of increased market concerns regarding the growing impact of the coronavirus on global travel. If global travel demand decreases, global crude demand would likely follow suit and result in lower global crude consumption. If market concerns regarding the virus continue to grow this week, crude prices could drop again.

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

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 78 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.