LIMA — Average gasoline prices in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan are jumping to their highest level since November, and the Lima area is feeling the effects.
It was just two days ago when GasBuddy.com reported that regular unleaded gas in Allen County averaged $1.91 per gallon. As of 3:26 a.m. Tuesday, the price dropped to $1.89. By 4:30 p.m. the same day, however, that number reached as high as $1.99.
The 10-cent spike in Allen County is part of a larger trend that will affect parts of the Midwest for several weeks, GasBuddy Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan said. Gas prices in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky appear to be rising to $2.09 a gallon, GasBuddy reports, while Michigan may see gas as high as $2.19.
DeHaan said the jump at the pump is likely due to refinery maintenance that is “kicking into high gear.”
“As maintenance season appears to be in its prime with production of gasoline slipping, it has unfortunately brought higher gasoline prices,” DeHaan said. “Gas price hikes in the Great Lakes may continue every one to two weeks until May, when much of the current maintenance should be finishing up.”
Gas prices in Allen County have also climbed above the Ohio average. As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, county gas prices were 4 cents above the state average of $1.95. Michigan stood at $1.98, and Indiana averaged $1.94.
Before Tuesday’s spike, gas prices in Allen County had been shrinking for two weeks. DeHaan said competition among gas stations forced prices to drop during that period, even as wholesale gasoline prices rose. With regional refineries starting spring maintenance, gas inventories have shrunk causing higher prices.
Compared to a month ago, gas prices in Allen County are up an average of 25 cents. Despite the increase, gas prices in the region are still better off than they were last year. The gas price in the county is 36 cents lower than in 2015 when it cost an average of $2.35.
