Ohio drivers are getting a welcome break at the pump heading into Thanksgiving travel season. The statewide average for a gallon of regular fell to about $3.51 on Saturday, Nov. 14, according to AAA, down nearly 35 cents from a week earlier and well under the national average of about $3.84.
How far prices have fallen
AAA put Ohio's average at roughly $3.86 a week ago and $3.83 a month ago, so the past seven days wiped out more than the gains of the last month. Prices dropped almost 7 cents overnight from Friday to Saturday alone. They are still higher than a year ago, though, when Ohioans were paying about $3.07 a gallon.
Diesel remains painful for truckers and farmers. The statewide diesel average sits near $6.12 a gallon, a bit below the all-time Ohio record of about $6.82 set in September.
Where gas is cheapest in Ohio
Lima drivers are seeing the lowest metro average in the state, around $3.09 a gallon. Dayton (about $3.41), Toledo ($3.42) and Akron ($3.45) are also below the state average, while Columbus sits near $3.54 and Cleveland and Youngstown near $3.56. Price tracker GasBuddy has reported some Ohio stations posting $2.99 for regular.
The gas tax holiday is still running
Ohio's temporary motor fuel tax holiday, which started Oct. 4, is still in effect. Under the emergency law, the state's 38.5-cent gasoline tax and 47-cent diesel tax are cut to one-hundredth of a cent per gallon through 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2027, according to the Ohio Department of Taxation. Retailers are required by law to pass the full savings to customers.
Some drivers have questioned whether that is happening, and about 200 complaints have been filed with the Ohio Attorney General's Office. Economists note that crude oil costs tied to the conflict involving Iran, refinery problems and the seasonal switch to cheaper winter-blend fuel all push prices up or down regardless of the tax. Drivers who believe a station is not passing on the savings can file a complaint through the attorney general's OhioProtects website.
What it means for Thanksgiving
With the tax break set to expire in early January, the coming weeks may be the best window for cheaper fill-ups. Prices can change quickly, so it pays to compare stations before a long holiday drive.
