AAA: Ohio gas prices fall amid dropping oil prices

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The average price of gasoline across South Central Ohio is 12 cents cheaper this week at $2.328 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

North Dakota ($2.34) and Minnesota ($2.32) were the only states in the Great Lakes and Central region to not see gas prices decrease this week. While most states in the region are paying just a few pennies less a gallon to fill-up, Ohio (-15 cents), Michigan (-11 cents) and Indiana (-10 cents) saw double digit decreases and rank as the top three largest weekly changes in the country.

As prices dipped at the pump, regional gasoline inventory held relatively steady at 59 million barrels. This healthy level amid robust refinery utilization (90%), as reported by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), should help to keep gas prices stable in the week ahead.

This week’s average prices: South Central Ohio Average: $2.328

Average price during the week of February 24, 2020 $2.446

Average price during the week of March 4, 2019 $2.360

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

$2.534 Athens

$2.270 Chillicothe

$2.206 Columbiana

$2.360 East Liverpool

$2.399 Gallipolis

$2.356 Hillsboro

$2.195 Ironton

$2.168 Jackson

$2.419 Logan

$2.446 Marietta

$2.261 Portsmouth

$2.195 Steubenville

$2.348 Washington Court House

$2.428 Waverly

On the National Front

At $2.43, the national gas price average has pushed cheaper over the last 30 days. Healthy inventory and cheaper crude prices have alleviated pump price pains. However, with maintenance season looming and the upcoming switchover to summer blend, the downward trend could break in the coming weeks. Additionally, the impact of coronavirus on demand and crude oil could affect prices.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate decreased by $2.33 to settle at $44.76. Crude prices have not been this low since December 2018. The significant decrease in crude prices has been led by the growing impact of the coronavirus on the global market, which continues to worry that the impact of the virus will lead to a reduction in global economic growth. Until it appears that the international public health threat from the virus decreases and China’s industrial sector recovers, crude prices could continue facing downward pressure.

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.

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