Local gas prices among highest in state

SANDUSKY — Northern Ohio has its sights, attractions and unique experiences. But, with all that, there comes a high cost at the pump. Out of all the regions in the newspaper group's coverage area — which includes the cities of Findlay, Tiffin, Fostoria, Norwalk and Sandusky — the areas of north-central Ohio had the highest gas prices, according to a recent review of gas prices. As of Wednesday, Ottawa County was among the counties with the highest gas prices in the state, with an average of $3.07 compared to a state average of $2.91, according to AAA. Here's how the newspaper's coverage areas stack up against each other, according to AAA data: Note: Figures are rounded. • Ottawa County: $3.07 • Huron County: $3.03 • Erie County: $3.01 • State average: $2.91 • Seneca County: $2.85 • Sandusky County: $2.84 • Wood County: $2.81 • Hancock County: $2.75 Why so high? What the area has to offer could be an explanation for the area's fuel costs, according to Kara Hitchens, public affairs manager for AAA in Ohio. "Being a tourist destination has a lot to do with the cost of fuel in an area," Hitchens said. "But since we are out of the height of travel season, prices should be coming down." According to Hitchens, there is usually a seasonal drop after Labor Day, however, when she examined data from last month, she noticed an increase in the state average. "It is hard to pinpoint exactly why, but I would say the geopolitical conversation about sanctions could be driving up the prices," Hitchens said. "Any time there is a conflict in the world, gas prices tend to get impacted. President Trump threatened Russia with sanctions. Generally, any sign of geopolitical conflict can impact prices." The area's proximity to other large cities could be another factor in the area's prices. Areas of northern Ohio, by route of highway connections, act as a pass-through for interstate travel. Hitchens said high-traffic areas with a lot of potential cars mean the demand for the product is high. The area can also be seen as a good stopping point between two destination points. There are several factors that contribute to gas prices, according to Hitchens, like location, the number of stations competing for business and the services each station offers. Corporate presence has little impact On the opposite side of the cost spectrum is Hancock County, which averaged about $2.75 per gallon. A unique trait of Hancock County is that it houses Marathon Petroleum Corp.'s headquarters, but Jim Lardear, director of AAA public and government affairs, said this is not a factor in the area's low costs. Instead, the low prices are due to a combination of other economic factors. Lardear listed four factors contributing to the price of a gallon of gas: the cost of crude oil, refining costs, distribution and marketing costs and taxes. "Hancock County benefits from proximity to fuel supply routes and refineries, reducing delivery costs," Lardear said. "A high number of gas stations fosters competition, driving prices down. "Lower real estate and labor costs compared to urban counties like Hamilton or Franklin also contribute to cheaper fuel," he added. How to save Hitchens noted six ways customers can save while filling up their tanks: • Keep vehicles in good condition and check tires for tire pressure and tread depth; Vehicles that are maintained run better and get better fuel mileage. • Do not speed; Speeding will burn excess fuel. • Lighten the car's load; Engines work harder to pull or haul heavy loads. • Running the air conditioner burns gas, and the wind drag from highway speeds makes the engine work harder; City drivers should consider rolling down windows, while highway drivers should keep them up. • Take advantage of resources like fuel points or loyalty points at grocery stores, warehouse stores and gas stations • Use apps like the AAA app to shop for fuel prices