The average price of gasoline across South Central Ohio is three cents lower this week at $3.182 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: South Central Ohio Average: $3.182

Average price during the week of November 29, 2021 $3.215

Average price during the week of December 7, 2020 $2.064

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

$3.352 Athens

$3.116 Chillicothe

$2.962 Columbiana

$3.225 East Liverpool

$3.284 Gallipolis

$2.975 Hillsboro

$3.604 Ironton

$3.255 Jackson

$3.175 Logan

$3.244 Marietta

$3.150 Portsmouth

$3.121 Steubenville

$3.088 Washington Court House

$3.293 Waverly

Trend Analysis:

The national average for a gallon of gas dipped 4 cents on the week to $3.35. Pump prices continue to decrease Nationwide as fears of a possible COVID-19 global economic slowdown pushed oil prices into the mid $60s per barrel range, which hasn’t been seen since August.

Also helping to ease oil prices was the decision by OPEC and its oil-producing allies not to cut production. On December 2, OPEC+ announced it would stick to its plan, for now, to raise production by 400,000 b/d in January.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks increased by more than 4 million barrels to 215,422 million barrels last week. Meanwhile, gasoline demand dipped from 9.3 million b/d to 8.8 million b/d. The slight decrease in demand also contributed to dipping prices.

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

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 72 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.