COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN) -- Average retail gasoline prices in Columbus have fallen 10 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.13 a gallon Monday morning.
GasBuddy.com's survey of 500 gas outlets in Columbus found some stations selling fuel for as low as $1.92 a gallon and as high as $2.49.
AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report showed Ohio's average at $2.14 a gallon Monday. That compares to $2.23 a week ago.
"A sudden plunge in the price of oil is likely to weigh on gas prices, at least temporarily,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com.
"With little warning or expectation, crude oil last week broke out of the rut it had well established, with crude prices falling out of a 3-month range of $51-$54 per barrel to $49, DeHaan says.
Because of the complex relationship of oil and gasoline prices and U.S. refineries, DeHaan says motorists may not see as large a decline at the pump as they may have hoped for.
But DeHaan says, "I remain optimistic that the annual spring rally at the pump could be less severe than expected, but remain cautious as it remains difficult to know where the new path will lead oil prices in the week ahead."