Columbus gas prices dip below national average
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Roller coaster gas prices in and around the Columbus area continue this month after a recent dive last week.
According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations in the Columbus area, the average price at the pump fell by 12 cents per gallon last week to reach $3.03, erasing the previous week’s 12 cent increase. The current price is 7.3 cents per gallon lower than four weeks ago and a whole half of a penny lower than this time one year ago.
The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.77 a gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.29, a difference of 52 cents per gallon. In Ohio, the average price of gas also dropped by 13.7 cents from $3.09 per gallon to $2.96 per gallon
Nationally, gas prices fell slightly, by 0.9 cents per gallon, to reach $3.08. The price of diesel also fell 4.4 cents, settling at $3.65 per gallon.
Head of petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan said oil prices remain steady for now but cautions that potential international factors and/or seasonal increases are looming.
"As we approach the February 1 deadline for potential U.S. tariffs on Canada and Mexico— key sources of crude oil imports— we'll be monitoring for any potential impact, including the possibility of retaliatory tariffs,” De Haan said. “For now, I remain hopeful that tariffs won't materialize, and gas prices could stay relatively stable over the next few weeks, at least until the seasonal rise in prices begins in mid-to-late February."