Gas prices in central Ohio rose 15 cents this week, averaging $2.92 per gallon in Columbus, according to GasBuddy, as refinery maintenance and seasonal supply shifts impact costs.
Central Ohio Gas Prices Jump, Nearing $3 Per Gallon
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Drivers across central Ohio are seeing higher prices at the pump this week, with several factors contributing to the increase.
According to a new survey from GasBuddy, gas prices at nearly 500 stations in and around Columbus rose by 15.1 cents per gallon over the past week. The average price now stands at $2.92 per gallon.
That figure is slightly higher than four weeks ago and about 8.6 cents more than this time last year.
Prices vary across the region. The lowest price recorded Sunday in the Columbus area was $2.54 per gallon, while the highest reached $3.03 — a 49-cent difference depending on location.
Statewide, the average price of gas increased 7.8 cents to $2.84 per gallon.
Nationally, prices also ticked up, though more modestly. The U.S. average rose 1.2 cents to $2.88 per gallon. Diesel prices climbed 6.2 cents to $3.68 per gallon.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said Ohio is among several “price cycling” states where gas prices fluctuate more noticeably.
“Average gasoline prices continue to drift higher as crude oil trades near its highest level since last summer,” De Haan said. He pointed to geopolitical tensions, refinery outages, and seasonal supply tightening as contributing factors.
De Haan added that planned refinery maintenance is expected to increase in the coming weeks, which could further tighten supply. As winter transitions to spring, he said, the national average may approach the $3-per-gallon mark again.
For Ohio drivers, that means prices could continue trending upward in the weeks ahead.
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