Gas prices falling, more expected

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) – Ohio gas prices have plummeted more than 40 cents a gallon in a month, and experts believe there is more to come.

People just aren’t driving as much, leading to higher gasoline inventories, according to the Automobile Association of America. Combine that with a switch from summer-grade to winter-grade fuel, which is cheaper to produce, and falling prices could continue.

“With the third quarter of 2025 ending in higher gasoline inventories and the seasonal transition from summer-grade to winter-grade fuel, consumers are likely to see even lower prices at the pump in the coming weeks,” AAA said.

Ohio’s current average price per gallon sits at $2.70, 36 cents below the national average. A week ago, Ohioans were paying $2.91 a gallon and last year it was $3.12.

The last time prices were nearly this low in Ohio was in March, when costs dipped to $2.78 before quickly rising again.

The state’s least expensive prices can generally be found in the northwest corner of the state, where nine counties are posting averages at $2.60 or lower. Hancock County drivers are paying an average of $2.45 a gallon.

Three Columbus-area counties, and three others around Dayton are also paying $2.60 or better, along with Stark County in northeast Ohio.

The highest prices are in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state, where costs range between $2.85 and $3.30 per gallon. Two counties – Athens and Carroll – are averaging more than $3 a gallon.

Falling prices are a trend nationwide, with the overall national average at $3.11 a gallon, 8 cents lower than a month ago and 9 cents lower than last year.

The most expensive states are California ($4.66), Washington ($4.50), Hawaii ($4.47), Oregon ($4.12), Nevada ($3.90), Alaska ($3.86), Arizona ($3.50), Idaho ($3.48), Utah ($3.38) and Pennsylvania ($3.28). 

The least expensive averages for gas can be found in Oklahoma ($2.60), Mississippi ($2.67), Arkansas ($2.69), Louisiana ($2.70), Texas ($2.70), Tennessee ($2.72), Wisconsin ($2.74), Kentucky ($2.76), Missouri ($2.76) and Alabama ($2.76).