Gas prices in South Central Ohio have increased by five cents to $2.630 per gallon this week, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Gas prices are more expensive on the week across all states in the Great Lakes and Central region. The average gas price in the region is $2.60 (Ohio, $2.59).

Gasoline inventories remained relatively stable on the week in region, seeing a modest drop of 26,000 barrels. This marks the fifth week of inventory declines. However, at 58 million barrels in total, inventories are 2 million stronger than early April 2017.

Today’s average prices: South Central Ohio Average $2.630

Average price during the week of April 9, 2018 $2.582

Average price during the week of April 17, 2017 $2.327

Here is the price per gallon of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:

$2.699 Athens

$2.580 Chillicothe

$2.564 Columbiana

$2.598 East Liverpool

$2.733 Gallipolis

$2.372 Hillsboro

$2.728 Ironton

$2.681 Jackson

$2.619 Logan

$2.643 Marietta

$2.672 Portsmouth

$2.626 Steubenville

$2.646 Washington Court House

$2.654 Waverly

On the National Front

At $2.71, gas prices are at their most expensive point in nearly three years and continue to climb. On the week, the national average increased a nickel. Motorists in six west coast states are paying more than $3/gallon. Across the country, only 27 percent of gas stations are selling gas for $2.50 or less. Moreover, today’s gas price average is 18-cents more than a month ago and 30-cents more than a year ago.

Expensive crude oil prices, unrest in the Middle East, and strong domestic demand are some of the factors that are driving Spring gas prices higher. At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) settled at $67.39. Last week, WTI traded at the highest levels since December 2014 and are expected to continue to build momentum this week.

In its latest report, EIA data for the week ending on April 6 shows domestic crude production in the U.S. hit a new record high of 10.53 million b/d. The increased output led crude storage levels to grow by 3.3 million barrels to 428.6 million. With Baker Hughes, Inc. reporting that the U.S. added seven oil rigs last week – bringing the total to 815 – crude production in the U.S. is likely to continue growing.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 80 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members. News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.