Flight cancellations and refinery issues mean higher gas prices in central Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As expected, central Ohio gas prices are on the rise due to refinery issues in the Midwest and an unexpected spike in demand nationwide.
According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations in and around Columbus, Ohio, gas prices have risen 9.6 cents from last week, averaging out at $3.03 per gallon. The current price is 18.8 cents per gallon higher than four weeks ago as well as 7.2 cents higher than this time one year ago.
The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.67 a gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.39, a difference of 72 cents per gallon. In Ohio, the average price of gas also jumped by 12.2 cents to reach $3.03 per gallon.
Nationally, gas prices experienced a smaller increase of 4.8 cents per gallon to average out at $3.03, and the price of diesel followed suit, climbing by 6.5 cents, settling in at $3.73 per gallon.
Experts said last week that prices in the Midwest were expected to rise due to unforeseen refinery issues in the region, but the government shutdown also added to the demand across the country, with flight cancellations resulting in far more auto travelers.
“Refinery issues in the Great Lakes and West Coast have kept prices elevated, and gasoline inventory data from the government showed another large weekly drop in supplies, which has temporarily propped up prices, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “With thousands of flight cancellations reported due to potential FAA flight cuts, there could be slight shifts in gasoline demand, which may limit any near-term declines.”