Gas prices keep ticking upward

TIFFIN — The U.S. conflict with Iran is still contributing to an upward trend in gas prices. Seneca County's average gas price was noted at $4.06 per gallon, up from $3.85 on April 7. In fact, a local county has the highest average cost in Ohio right now, according to AAA's gas price tracking service. Erie County — with an average price at the pump of $4.23 as of Tuesday — leads all Ohio counties and surpasses the national average of $4.11. The second-highest, according to AAA, is Lawrence County along the southern Ohio border, at about $4.22. Cost increases are mainly due to the continued closure of the critical Strait of Hormuz oil-shipping lane as Iran and the U.S. negotiate on reopening the waterway while fuel tankers remain anchored. "Crude oil prices have seen an increase to around $96 per barrel, as the conflict in the Persian Gulf continues," according to AAA spokesperson Lynda Lambert. "Currently, (national average) pump prices are almost a dollar higher than this time last year, when a gallon of regular sat at $3.14." But Erie County, the home of Sandusky and its Cedar Point amusement park, isn't alone. Prices in other local counties have trended upward, too — many about 20 to 30 cents higher than a little less than a month ago — and the national average of $4.11 is a seven-cent increase over the past week. Here's the average gas price situation in area counties: • Erie County: $4.23 (was $3.97 on April 7) • Huron County: $4.14 (was $3.96 on April 7) • Sandusky County: $4.11 (was $3.87 on April 7) • Ottawa County: $4.10 (was $3.92 on April 7) • Hancock County: $4.03 (was $3.86 on April 7) • Seneca County: $4.06 (was $3.85 on April 7) Source: AAA Notes: Figures are rounded; The Associated Press contributed to this story.