Ohio drivers are once again staring at a $4 average for regular gasoline, after prices jumped roughly 10 cents overnight and Cincinnati followed close behind. The statewide spike is putting a fresh squeeze on commuters just as the summer driving season enters its final stretch.
According to WLWT, AAA listed Ohio's average regular-gas price at $4.00 today, up 9 cents from the previous day. Cincinnati's average reached $3.93, also a roughly 9-cent overnight jump, while the national average stood at $4.11.
Cincinnati Prices Are Nearly Matching The Statewide Average
AAA's fuel tracker shows Ohio's average at $4.00, compared with $3.78 a month earlier and $2.99 a year ago. Cincinnati's $3.93 average is up from $3.70 a month earlier and about 91 cents higher than the city's average one year ago, according to AAA fuel data.
For a driver filling a 15-gallon tank, Today's Ohio average works out to about $60 before any discounts or rewards. That same fill-up would have cost roughly $45 at last year's statewide average, making the latest jump especially noticeable for people who drive long distances for work or rely on vehicles for deliveries.
Cross-river shoppers may find some relief in Kentucky, where the average regular-gas price was $3.72, while Indiana's average was $3.63, WLWT reported. The regional gap is enough to make a border-crossing fill-up tempting, although the savings can disappear quickly once extra mileage and traffic are factored in.
Oil Volatility Keeps Pressure On The Pump
AAA has blamed the broader climb on higher crude-oil prices and volatility around the Strait of Hormuz. In a July 23 update, AAA said the national average had risen to $4.09 as crude prices moved into the $90-per-barrel range.
The Cincinnati market has already shown how quickly those forces can reach local pumps. Earlier this month, prices in the metro jumped 24 cents overnight as the conflict involving Iran intensified, FOX19 reported, and today's latest move suggests drivers may not be done watching the numbers climb.
