LOCAL

July 4 holiday gas prices lowest since 2005

Drop at the pump means more people are expected to hit the road

Craig Shoup
The News-Messenger
Gas prices for the Independence Day weekend are the lowest since 2005 in Northwest Ohio.

FREMONT -  Motorists traveling over the Independence Day weekend will have relief at the pump as gas prices in Northwest Ohio are expected to be the lowest for the holiday since 2005.

More people are expected to be traveling, thanks to lower gas prices, which are attributed to a drop in crude oil prices, according to Patrick DeHann, senior petroleum analyst for Gas Buddy.

"We can thank the falling price of crude oil due to a continued surplus. Oil prices are down $6 per barrel versus a month ago," DeHann said.

Gas prices normally rise over the July 4th holiday, DeHann said, with prices typically well above $3 nationally. 

The lowest national average for regular unleaded fuel for the weekend was $2.20 in 2005, he said. 

This year, DeHann said the national average will settle at $2.21.

Averages have been on sharp decline during the past decade, with highs reaching $4.09 in 2008.

Lower prices this weekend means more families will be traveling for cookouts and fireworks shows, DeHann said.

Nikki King of Vickery said the lower gas prices came at a great time as she and her family are planning to travel to Michigan over the holiday weekend.

"We are going to Michigan to do motorcycle riding," King said.

She said her family is going to Fenton, Michigan, about an hour northwest of Detroit, where King is originally from. 

"The gas prices being lower definitely allow us to go, and we will see some fireworks there," King said.

cshoup@gannett.com

419-334-1035

Twitter: @CraigShoupNH

Gas prices in Fremont range from $2.12 to $2.15, the lowest July 4 holiday prices in a decade.