Ohio gas price jump highest in nation

So you now know that Cincinnati area gas prices jumped 20 to 30 cents as a result of Hurricane Isaac bearing down on the Gulf Coast, up to an average price of $3.95.

What you may not know is that this week's price jump was the biggest in the nation. That's right: AAA now says Ohio gas prices have risen more than any other state's as a result of the hurricane.

One Cincinnati station, the Shell on Delta Avenue in Columbia-Tusculum, raised its price for regular Wednesday to $4.25 a gallon, which ties Cincinnati's all-time record set back in 2008. 

Its owner tells 9 News he just had to pay $3.99 a gallon for his new tanker load, so he says he will lose money if he sells his gas at the same price as everyone else.

Cincinnati area much higher than average

Nationally, CNN reports that gas prices are up 5 cents this week. Just 5 cents? In the Cincinnati area, the average price spiked almost 20 cents, from $3.79 to $3.95.

AAA says Ohio prices -- through the entire state -- are up an average of 14 cents this week. Michigan and Illinois are close behind, with 12 and 13 cent spikes.

However, in Gulf Coast states, AAA says prices jumped only 5 cents since Monday, possibly because stations there are worried about being accused of price gouging in the face of the storm.

AAA says Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan get their gas from Gulf refineries (now closed), and from Chicago refineries that have been having supply problems for three weeks. So it has become a "perfect storm" for gas prices in Ohio.

Many drivers often blame Speedway, Ohio's largest gas chain, for price spikes. However, at $3.95 a gallon, Speedway is not among the highest priced stations right now, with many Shell and BP stations now at $3.99 or even $4.25.

To find the cheapest gas prices near you, use our gas prices finder at http://www.wcpo.com/subindex/traffic/gas_prices .

As always, don't waste your money.

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