LIMA — Low demand for gasoline amid the coronavirus pandemic means gas prices are at their lowest point in decades heading into the Labor Day weekend — welcome news for Ohioans who plan to travel this holiday weekend.
While prices have rebounded since April, when the average cost for a gallon of gasoline in Lima fell to $1.12, they’re still down about 45 cents from this time last year, according to estimates from online price tracker GasBuddy.
As of Thursday morning, GasBuddy listed the average price in Lima as $2.06.
Travelers can expect pleasant weather throughout the weekend, according to AccuWeather. The chance of rain is below 5% on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a 25% chance on Monday. The high temperatures are in the high 70s Friday, Saturday and Sunday, although they’ll be up to 84 on Monday.
Nationally, GasBuddy predicts prices will hover around $2.19 per gallon this weekend, the lowest national average for a Labor Day weekend since 2004, when the average was $1.82 per gallon.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said in the company’s Labor Day weekend fuel outlook that nationally, gas prices have been stable since Memorial Day.
And with refineries returning to service after Hurricane Laura, De Haan noted that prices are falling again just in time for the holiday weekend. He expects that trend to continue into the fall, when demand is traditionally lower and stations switch to cheaper winter gasoline.
A new AAA Ohio travel forecast anticipates that demand for domestic travel and outdoor trips, particularly camping and RV rentals, will continue into 2021, while bookings for cruise lines and flights will likely increase as more travelers take advantage of low pricing.
The travel organization did not release its annual Labor Day weekend forecast.
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