If you’re hitting the road for the holiday weekend, you’ll be happy to hear gas prices are down — and in many places, they’re the lowest they’ve been in years.
Right now, the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.18.
That’s more than 30 cents cheaper than last year at this time.
AAA says the highest average cost of a gallon of gas was in 2022 at $5.01/gallon.
Some experts say this could be the lowest Fourth of July gas prices since 2021 — maybe even since 2020 during the pandemic.
CNBC reports that gas is now cheaper than it’s been in nearly 20 years when adjusted for inflation.
The drop in prices is being felt all over the country:
- Toledo: Summer gas prices are at a four-year low.
- Macon, Georgia: Prices are the lowest seen since 2021.
- Arizona: Even with recent conflicts overseas, prices are holding steady — or dropping.
GasBuddy says easing tensions in the Middle East and steady oil supply are helping keep prices down.
Locally, we are seeing prices today in Bellefontaine:
- Loves, Marathon, Murphy USA, and Casey’s: $2.65/gallon
- Speedway: $2.67/gallon
- Kroger: $2.89/gallon
- RD Holder: $2.66/gallon
Paul Singh, the new owner of the Marathon gas station at the corner of Madriver Street and Sundusky in Bellefontaine, says,
“We own 100 gas stations in Ohio, and we are trying to be the cheapest. We care about our customers; they are our #1 priority. We worry about quantity of gas sold, not filling our pockets.”
Singh and his family own Eagle Stores that operate more than 100 gas stations across the state, and have been the owners of Bellefontaine’s location for six weeks.
With millions of people expected to drive over the holiday, this drop at the pump is a big win for travelers.
Just remember to plan ahead — roads will be busy.
