Gas prices rise in Columbus and Ohio, despite predictions to the contrary
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Predictions for relief at the pump continue, even though the average price for a gallon of gasoline rose by over a dime last week.
After the average gas price in the Columbus metro area dropped by a quarter over the previous two weeks, prices shot up by 12 cents back to an average of $3.56, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations.
The current price is 15.6 cents per gallon lower than one month ago but is 6.8 cents lower than one year ago. In Ohio, the average price of gas also increased by 16.5 cents per gallon, from $3.34 per gallon to $3.50 per gallon.
The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.99 a gallon, while the most expensive was $3.69, a difference of 70 cents per gallon. Nationally, gas prices fell slightly by 3.2 cents to $3.58 per gallon.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, once again expressed confidence that more relief at the pump is on the way, despite the rise in Ohio.
"While pump prices haven't exactly plummeted, we've seen the average price of gasoline drop in a majority of states over the last week as refineries finish maintenance and ramp up output of products like gasoline," said De Haan. "The future looks good as we get closer to Memorial Day; price drops could potentially accelerate after last week's jobs data shows the economy continues to cool off…. I'm optimistic the trend could extend into June and beyond."