Instead of a lump coal this holiday season, motorists are getting an early Christmas present in the form of lower prices at the fuel pumps.
The price of a gallon of gas has been in a steady decline in recent weeks and this week reached a welcome milestone.
For the first time this year, the American Automobile Association's review of the national average price of a gallon of gas found that it dropped below the level of a year ago.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to the beaconjournal today to access all of our content online at cm.beaconjournal.com/specialoffer.
The national average for a gallon of regular gas as of Thursday was $3.32 − below the average of $3.34 a gallon a year ago.
The news is good on the national level, but in Ohio where the average as of Thursday was $3.16 a gallon, is still above the average of $3.11 a gallon a year ago.
What's the price of gas in Akron?
Things are bit better in Greater Akron where gas of as Thursday could be found as low as $2.83 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.
The price of gas varies across the region with $2.85 a gallon of regular gas found in Kent and $2.89 in Tallmadge.
Some stations in Cleveland were as low as $2.54 a gallon on Thursday while many Canton stations were charging $2.89.
Stations in and around Mansfield were still above $3 a gallon.
Gas prices are expected to continue to decline through Christmas amid a weak demand for fuel worldwide and fears of economic slowdown.
Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio gas prices drop in Akron area and across US
