AKRON, Ohio — Ouch.
Gas prices have seen an increase across Northeast Ohio within the last week as the average is now listed higher than $3.50 per gallon in both Akron and Cleveland.
In Akron, drivers are now paying an average of $3.53 after GasBuddy says prices went up 22.3 cents.
Cleveland’s gas prices jumped 14.9 cents, bringing the city’s new average to $3.54. Gas prices in Cleveland are now 11.1 cents higher than a month ago and 21.3 cents more expensive than a year ago.
The national average, meanwhile, is now listed at $3.46 per gallon after jumping 5 cents within the last week, according to GasBuddy. That’s down 6 cents from a month ago and 5.4 cents lower than a year ago.
"As we approach July 4 later this week, motorists have seen the national average price of gasoline inch up ever so slightly for the third straight week," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "While the increases have been fairly tame, with oil continuing to hold above $80 per barrel, we could continue to see the national average climb slightly. Other areas that see price cycling saw prices shoot up early in the week, but those areas are now starting to see prices fall back down. For many Americans hitting the road for the July 4 holiday, prices in most areas are very comparable to what we saw last July 4. However, with Hurricane Beryl now formed in the Caribbean, we're reminded that gas prices could experience some jolts in the second half of the summer should a storm threaten refining capacity in Texas or Louisiana."
Here's a look at historical gasoline prices in Cleveland and the national average going back 10 years:
- July 1, 2023: $3.32/g (U.S. Average: $3.52/g)
- July 1, 2022: $4.78/g (U.S. Average: $4.83/g)
- July 1, 2021: $2.98/g (U.S. Average: $3.12/g)
- July 1, 2020: $2.20/g (U.S. Average: $2.18/g)
- July 1, 2019: $2.71/g (U.S. Average: $2.72/g)
- July 1, 2018: $2.67/g (U.S. Average: $2.84/g)
- July 1, 2017: $2.08/g (U.S. Average: $2.23/g)
- July 1, 2016: $2.22/g (U.S. Average: $2.27/g)
- July 1, 2015: $2.75/g (U.S. Average: $2.76/g)
- July 1, 2014: $3.59/g (U.S. Average: $3.67/g)