After weeks of declines, Ohio gas prices are increasing again as uncertainty in the global oil market pushes crude oil prices higher.
After several weeks of declining gas prices, Ohio drivers are once again seeing higher prices at the pump.
According to AAA East Central, the statewide average for regular gasoline is now $3.70 per gallon, an increase from last week, but about the same as one month ago. The organization says rising crude oil prices, fueled by uncertainty in global markets, are driving the increase.
“If you look at Ohio’s average price for gasoline statewide today, $3.70. It’s more than it was this time last week, but it’s about where we were a month ago,” said Jim Garrity, director of public affairs for AAA East Central.
AAA says crude oil accounts for 50% to 60% of the price consumers pay for gasoline. While oil prices have risen recently, they remain in the $70 to $75 per barrel range, well below the more than $100 per barrel seen earlier this year.
Because of that, Garrity says it’s too early to know whether the latest increase is temporary or the beginning of a longer trend.
Drivers say they’re already noticing the difference.
“It used to take at least like what, $40 to fill my tank up. Now it’s almost $70… the cost of living is already high enough as it is… now you got to worry about spending almost $100 at the gas station. It’s just too much. I’m over it,” said Jerry Talton.
Some drivers say they’re responding by limiting unnecessary trips to save money on fuel.
“I typically just try to stay within the area, go to work, go home. Unless I really need to go somewhere else, I really just try to stay in the vicinity, just to save money,” Talton said.
Despite the recent increase, AAA says Ohio’s average gas price remains below the national average of $3.84 per gallon and ranks near the middle compared with other states.
The organization says prices can also vary from station to station based on transportation costs, the distance fuel travels from refineries and competition among nearby retailers.
AAA says drivers can also improve fuel economy by changing a few driving habits.
“One of the biggest mistakes everyone’s making daily… is they’re speeding… Every 5 miles over 50 miles an hour… you start to see your fuel economy drop… using cruise control is a great way to keep the vehicle maintaining a very steady speed… and never ignore things like the check engine light,” Garrity said.
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