Drop in Columbus area fuel prices only temporary, expert says
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – While gas prices fell in the Columbus area last week, it did little to erase the 40-cent surge over the previous two weeks, and potential additional hikes may be around the corner.
According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations in the Columbus area, the average price at the pump dropped by 8.6 cents last week to reach $3.05 per gallon. The current price is 27 cents per gallon higher than four weeks ago but still 29.2 cents lower than this time one year ago.
The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.54 a gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.29, a difference of 75 cents per gallon. In Ohio, the average price of gas also rose 8.7 cents from $3.08 per gallon to $2.99 per gallon.
Nationally, gas prices also rose, by 2.7 cents per gallon, to reach $3.11. The price of diesel, however, rose only slightly by 0.9 cents, settling at $3.56 per gallon.
While the decline in fuel prices is welcome, head of petroleum analysis with GasBuddy Patrick De Haan said it is likely only temporary, as the spring and summer travel seasons get underway.
“While average prices remain well below last year's levels, we’ll likely begin to catch up, with prices expected to increase in most— if not all—states over the next few weeks,” De Haan said. “Continued uncertainty around whether tariffs will be implemented on April 2 could also impact pump prices, setting the stage for a volatile period for American drivers."