Columbus gas price increase propels average to $3.50 per gallon

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As we hit the back end of July, gas prices in Columbus have seen a steady increase over the past week.

GasBuddy reported that gas in Columbus went up 14 cents in the last week to reach an average price of $3.51 per gallon. That is nearly 11 cents more expensive compared to last month and 22 cents higher than at this time one year ago.

The most expensive gas station in Columbus was priced at $3.69 per gallon while the cheapest sits 53 cents lower at $3.16 per gallon. While Ohio's gas prices saw a steady spike, the national average fell 2 cents to hit an average of $3.47 in the last week.

Compared to last month, the national average is up 3.5 cents but is 10 cents lower than one year ago. Head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy Patrick De Haan said a power outage at a Chicago refinery caused a spike for Midwestern states' prices while most of the country saw decreases.

"While a good portion of the nation saw average gas prices decline, severe weather completely knocked out power to a major refinery outside Chicago early last week, immediately impacting gasoline supplies to Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan, and pushing prices up considerably," said De Haan. "We've often said how critical refineries are, and with a long power outage, we're seeing the impact very quickly, but relief will eventually arrive."