Ohio gas prices continue to rise

STEUBENVILLE -- As summer draws to a close, gas prices remain high across Ohio, with consumers paying more than $1 per gallon more than they were a year ago.

That increase is being felt locally, with gasoline prices topping $4 per gallon across much of the Ohio Valley.

In Steubenville, regular gasoline was selling for $4.25 per gallon Thursday at the downtown Speedway. The average price in Jefferson County is around $4.26 per gallon, according to AAA.

Belmont County also is seeing prices above the $4 mark, with the average for regular gasoline approximately $4.18 per gallon. Recent county prices have ranged from about $3.96 to $4.27 per gallon.

Prices can vary considerably by station and brand, with some motorists finding lower prices in individual communities.

The increases come as gasoline prices climb nationwide, with the national average topping $4 per gallon and sitting more than $1 higher than it was a year ago.

"Average gasoline prices climbed back above $4 per gallon over the last week, with prices rising in slightly more states than they fell, as rebounding oil prices driven by the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries kept upward pressure on the market," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

"While the seasonal transition to cheaper winter-blend gasoline in the coming month could bring some relief, the two dominant challenges facing motorists - the closed Strait and the ongoing refinery strikes - show no signs of resolving anytime soon. Until they do, the path for gas and diesel prices remains tilted to the upside."

Ohio’s average price is about $4.18 per gallon, more than a dime higher than the national average of $4.07, according to the figures provided. Ohio also saw one of the largest weekly increases in the country, rising 32.8 cents per gallon.

A year ago, Ohio motorists were paying about $3.05 per gallon.

Louisiana, South Carolina and Alabama had the lowest state averages, while California had the highest at $5.56 per gallon, followed by Hawaii at $5.43 and Washington.

The American Automobile Association has a similar outlook, noting that changes in crude oil prices and uncertainty surrounding global supplies could affect what motorists pay at the pump in the coming weeks.

"Drivers are seeing some relief at the pump as earlier declines in crude oil prices filter through the market," AAA spokeswoman Montrae Waiters said in a statement. "However, ongoing uncertainty surrounding global oil supplies could shift the trend and put upward pressure on gas prices in the coming weeks."

For motorists in Jefferson and Belmont counties, prices are likely to remain a concern as summer travel gives way to the fall driving season.