Ohio gasoline prices average $2.14/gal.

Submitted information

Average retail gasoline prices in Ohio have fallen 6.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.14 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 5,345 gas outlets in Ohio. This compares with the national average that has fallen 2.9 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.19 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Ohio during the past week, prices Sunday were 4.9 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 1.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has increased 7.0 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 21.0 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on September 6 in Ohio have ranged widely over the last five years: $2.19 per gallon in 2015, $3.44 per gallon in 2014, $3.56 per gallon in 2013, $3.81 per gallon in 2012 and $3.65 per gallon in 2011.

“With the summer driving season now behind us, what we see ahead looks terrific for motorists,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. “Demand decreases for gasoline will accelerate as we progress toward autumn, and, combined with the return of winter gasoline next week Friday, gasoline prices will track lower more often than the opposite.

“The only possible wrench could be a major hurricane that takes aim for the Gulf of Mexico, where many oil rigs and refiners are located, or a sudden cut in oil output from OPEC,” DeHaan noted.

“As we approach election season, I also fully expect that some politician will seek to take credit for the likely decline in gasoline price as the election looms, which is utter nonsense,” DeHaan added. “Just four states — South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and New Jersey — currently enjoy a state average under $2 per gallon, but by Halloween that number could quadruple.”