Ohio Gas Prices Today
Regular gasoline in Ohio averages $3.87 per gallon as of the EIA week of 2026-10-12 — $0.46 below the national average of $4.33. Ohio usually sits near or below the national average thanks to moderate taxes and nearby Midwest refining. What sets it apart is volatility: the Midwest fuel market is served by a small number of large refineries, so when one has a problem prices can jump sharply and then fall back just as fast.
Ohio vs Region vs US (EIA week of 2026-10-12)
| Area | Regular ($/gal) | vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 3.87 | — |
| Midwest (region) | 4.15 | +0.27 |
| US average | 4.33 | +0.46 |
EIA weekly retail averages. Compare all published states, see gas prices by year, or read what actually sets pump prices.
All EIA-Published States This Week
| State | Regular ($/gal) | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
| California | 6.10 | +1.77 |
| Washington | 5.38 | +1.05 |
| New York | 4.35 | +0.02 |
| Massachusetts | 4.26 | -0.07 |
| Minnesota | 4.18 | -0.15 |
| Colorado | 4.18 | -0.16 |
| Florida | 3.98 | -0.35 |
| Ohio | 3.87 | -0.46 |
| Texas | 3.78 | -0.55 |
EIA publishes weekly prices for these states; it does not survey all 50 individually.
What Sets the Price in Ohio
| Factor | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Market region | PADD 2, the Midwest, supplied by regional refineries plus Canadian and domestic crude | EIA PADD definitions |
| Refining | Several refineries operate in Ohio and neighbouring states, serving the regional market | EIA refinery capacity data |
| Required blend | Reformulated gasoline is required in some metro areas; much of the state uses conventional | EPA fuel program maps |
| Ethanol | Standard E10 blending, with the corn-belt ethanol supply close at hand | EIA ethanol data |
Taxes are one of four components of the pump price — see the full breakdown of crude, refining, distribution and tax.
Why Ohio Prices Move Differently
Midwest volatility
- The Midwest is served by comparatively few large refineries, so one outage removes a meaningful share of regional supply.
- Prices tend to spike quickly and then decay over following weeks as supply is rerouted — a sawtooth pattern rarely seen on the Gulf Coast.
- Retail competition in the region is fierce, so wholesale drops pass through to the pump relatively fast.
What to watch
- Unplanned outages at large Midwest refineries, including those outside Ohio that serve the same market.
- The Midwest line in the PADD region table, which usually leads the state figure.
- Spring turnaround season, when several regional refineries do maintenance at once.
- Crude costs at Cushing, Oklahoma, the pricing point that feeds Midwest refiners.
Ohio Gas Price FAQ
What is the average gas price in Ohio right now?
Regular gasoline in Ohio averages $3.87 per gallon (EIA, week of 2026-10-12) — $0.46 below the US average of $4.33.
Why are Ohio gas prices lower than the national average?
Ohio usually sits near or below the national average thanks to moderate taxes and nearby Midwest refining. What sets it apart is volatility: the Midwest fuel market is served by a small number of large refineries, so when one has a problem prices can jump sharply and then fall back just as fast.
How often are these prices updated?
The EIA publishes state and regional retail prices every Monday; this page refreshes automatically when new data lands. EIA covers selected large states weekly — for daily crowd-sourced prices per county or station, AAA and GasBuddy complement this official weekly view.
Why do Ohio gas prices jump and drop so suddenly?
It is a structural feature of the Midwest market. The region depends on a small number of large refineries, so an unplanned outage at any one of them removes a significant slice of supply and wholesale prices spike within days. Once barrels are rerouted from elsewhere, prices fall back — producing the sharp spike-then-slide pattern Midwest drivers notice.
Is gas cheaper in Ohio than in neighbouring states?
Usually it is close. Ohio's taxes are moderate and it sits inside the Midwest refining region, so it tends to track the regional average rather than diverge from it. Differences with neighbouring states normally come down to state tax rates and whether a metro area requires a reformulated blend.