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Consumers could see gas prices soar to $4 a gallon by spring

XENIA — Consumers should be prepared to pay more for gas as one local petroleum expert says we could see gas prices nearly $4 a gallon by spring.

Drive around any city in the Miami Valley and you will see a big different in gas prices. News Center 7′s Gabrielle Enright talked with Patrick De Hann of Gas Buddy who said there’s a reason behind the different gas prices.

He said Ohio, Michigan and Indiana buck the trend when it comes to the national fuel average because the three states practice something called Price Cycling.

“Essentially it’s like a price war. Stations are undercutting each other instead of slow increases and slow decreases. Prices in Dayton are on a roller coaster up, down, up, down,” De Hann said.

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He continued by saying that price cycling can be annoying, but the Federal Trade Commission has found it saves drivers money.

Right now, in the Dayton area, the average price of gas is about $2.95 a gallon. That is down from $3.01 a gallon last week.

Nationally, you will pay about $3.32 for a gallon of gas. And, if you need diesel, consumers will pay the highest prices since 2014 as it will cost at least $3.66 a gallon.

Soon, prices may jump and De Hann credits complications from the COVID-19 pandemic and unrest overseas.

“This is the calm before ethe storm. Prices are just under a gallon right now, but as demand starts to heat up and the instability, especially in Russia, the gas prices across Dayton could be close to $4 later this spring,” De Hann said.

To save money, De Hann recommends shopping around. Driving a few miles could save you as much as $100 to $200 per year.

You can also sign up for discounts and rewards at grocery or convenience stores.

To find the cheapest gas prices near you, visit WHIO’s Pump Patrol page.

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