over the past two years have left drivers dizzied. 2020 saw unfathomable lows, but as the nation reopened, numbers stabilized and gradually rose. Then, on March 8, 2022, the United States moved to ban all Russian oil and gas imports and our supplies plummeted and costs skyrocketed to the highest recorded in US history.

"Relatively inexpensive" now means little. Ohio drivers have a high price to pay.

Jerry

, the top-rated

super app

may not be able to influence the price at the Ohio pump, but we can help you save on expenses like

car insurance

to help you weather the storm.Here’s our guide to Ohio’s rising gas prices, with explanations, tips, and tricks to help you protect your wallet during this tough time.

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What is the average price of gas in Ohio?

As of May 2022,

AAA

averages Ohio’s price per gallon at $4.455. Compare that to the national average of $4.598 and the nation’s highest cost in

California

—$6.069. The lowest cost—

Oklahoma’s

$4.037—is still high, but those few fewer cents are enviable by Ohio standards.

Even within the state of Ohio, the impact on gas prices varies. Here’s the breakdown of Ohio’s cost per grade:

Regular: $4.455/gal

Mid-grade: $4.782/gal

Premium: $5.120/gal

Diesel: $5.241/gal

Trucks with diesel engines and engines that take

premium fuel

are generally made to pay more per gallon and now is no exception.

Which city in Ohio has the highest gas prices?

Ohio’s price average represents a range of pricing at the local level. Currently, this range is fractional. But as we know, fractions can quickly add up at the pump.

The cities hit hardest by the spike are

Steubenville

-Weirton,

Mansfield

, and

Cincinnati

, where averages start at $4.475/gal for regular. If you’re filling up with diesel, Belmont County drivers will pay up to $5.335/gal.

Prices are lowest in

Lima

Canton

Massillon

Springfield

, and

Columbus

, with regular gas prices ranging between $4.400/gal and $4.434/gal.

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Why are gas prices in Ohio so high?

Distribution, taxes, and seasonal trends are the primary factors that influence the cost of gas and contribute to Ohio’s gas prices

ranking 24th highest in the nation

Distribution

Let’s review how the production and distribution of gas works—from crude to pump:

First, crude is imported or else domestically produced.

Then the crude is transported to a refinery and turned into gasoline.

Next, a pipeline carries the refined gasoline to storage.

From there, the gasoline is transported so it can be blended into the gas we then put into vehicles.

Trucks distribute this final product to gas stations.

Picking up on a common thread? Transport is a huge part of gas production. The further the gasoline has to move, the higher the cost.

Taxes

Gas is taxed on both the federal and state levels. The federal tax is the same in each state: about $.018/gal on regular and $.024/gal on diesel.

State gas tax, on the other hand, varies by state.

Florida’s

state tax is only $0.04/gal. Meanwhile,

California

has the highest state tax, about $0.51/gal. Ohio’s state tax is $.038/gal.

Seasons

Ohio gets some pretty serious Midwestern winters. Winter weather often leads to

worse road conditions

. Ohio winters also come with darker evenings thanks to daylight savings. All these factors lead to less driving during the day in the winter months. Less driving leads to less gas demand, which leads to lower prices.

Now that we’ve sprung forward, we have better weather and more light. These factors lead to better driving conditions and more folks out for more of the day. This increase in summer leads to more demand, which can see a seasonal increase in prices.

MORE:

How to find the best gas prices

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How to deal with Ohio’s gas prices

With prices so high, what’s a driver to do? You still need to get where you need to go.

Small savings here and there may not seem like much, but like a few cents on the Ohio gallon, they add up. Here are a few car-related hacks to help you increase your savings.

Comparison shop for gas: Gas prices can vary from station to station. Services like GasBuddy can help you compare prices to ensure you’re getting the lowest gas rate in your area.

Maintain that maintenance: High gas prices may tempt you to skip out on regular maintenance, but forgoing these expenses can lead to huge expenditures down the road. Invest in the health of your vehicle now to save later.

Get crafty with DIY repairs: Always save the

big repairs for the professionals

. You don’t want to pay more for a problem you made worse. As for the smaller stuff, the fix often lies in the palm of your hand—or your back pocket! The Internet is an endless resource for small DIY repairs, from switching out your wiper blades to changing your air filters.

Refinance your car loan: Car owners often spend big on loans. One way to decrease this spending is

refinancing

with a new lender. When you use the Jerry app, we can help you through the process!

Switch your car insurance:

Insurance rates are ever-changing.

If you don’t keep your eye on the market, you could be overpaying. With Jerry, you can compare rates within seconds at no cost to you!

MORE: How to get cash for junk cars in Toledo

Save money on car insurance in Ohio

Time is money. And in this economy, both are in limited supply. Switch with Jerry and you can save on both.

Jerry

is the

car insurance

app that makes saving on car-related expenses quick and easy. Just download the app, tap in your info, and within seconds we’ll generate personalized competitive quotes sourced from over 55+ companies. After you make your selection, our team of experts is there for your every step of the way, from making the switch to canceling your old policy.

What’s more? We keep our eye on the market, so you can rest assured you always have the best deal. Drivers who switch with us not only save tons of stress and time—they also save upwards of $800 per year on car insurance!