WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Though most retail gasoline prices in the United States are steady, the Great Lakes region may experience a high degree of volatility, AAA said Monday.
AAA reports a national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline of $3.26, unchanged from the same time last week but 7 cents more expensive than one month ago.
For the Great Lakes region, however, prices experienced more volatility. AAA said the state average Monday in Ohio was $3.24 per gallon, 10 cents more expensive than the same time last week and 20 cents more expensive than one month ago.
Michael Green, a spokesman for AAA, said the Great Lakes region can often "go on a wild ride" before settling back near the national average.
"Averages in the Great Lakes region change very quickly because many of the local gas stations are owned by a few major companies," he said in response to e-mailed questions. "When these companies see a rise or decline in wholesale prices, they can change the price at their stations at the touch of a button."
In general, the national price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline has declined. Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma were the only states reporting a state average below $3 per gallon Monday, though some markets in the Great Lakes region dropped below the $3 mark briefly last week.
The last time the national average was below $3 per gallon was Dec. 22, 2010.
