What's driving Ohio gas prices?
Ohio drivers pay $3.39 per gallon, essentially at the national average. The state has moderate fuel taxes (about 39 cents combined), four operating refineries, and direct pipeline access to both Midwest and Gulf Coast supply. The Cincinnati metropolitan area falls under federal Reformulated Gasoline rules.
What you're paying for
State taxes and policy in Ohio add an estimated $0.44 per gallon on top of the roughly $2.95 base cost (crude oil, distribution, and the federal excise tax) that every U.S. driver pays.
Against its neighbors
Amber line marks the U.S. average of $3.38.
Price over time
Ohio U.S. average
Ohio, explained
Why are Ohio gas prices at the national average?−
Ohio has a balanced policy and supply environment. Combined state and federal taxes are about 57 cents per gallon, near the national median. The state has four operating refineries (Husky, BP-Husky Toledo, Marathon Canton, and PBF Toledo). Pipeline access from both the Midwest and the Gulf Coast provides supply flexibility. The Cincinnati metro pays a small federal RFG premium but most of the state uses conventional fuel. None of these factors push Ohio significantly above or below the national average.
How much is the Ohio Motor Fuel Tax?+
Ohio's state excise tax on gasoline is 38.5 cents per gallon, set in 2019. The tax was increased from 28 to 38.5 cents as part of a transportation funding package. It is not indexed to inflation. Combined with the 18.4-cent federal excise tax, drivers pay about 57 cents per gallon in direct fuel tax. Ohio does not apply the state sales tax to motor fuel.
Which Ohio cities use federal RFG gasoline?+
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and several surrounding counties in the Cincinnati metropolitan area are designated ozone non-attainment areas under the federal Clean Air Act and use federal RFG-blend gasoline. The Cleveland and Columbus areas do not. The price premium for RFG gasoline is about 5 to 8 cents per gallon.
Does Ohio have any climate-related fuel rules?+
No. Ohio has no state cap-and-trade program, no low-carbon fuel standard, no state-specific gasoline blend, and no state ethanol mandate beyond the federal Renewable Fuel Standard. The state has not pursued state-level climate fuel rules under any recent administration.
Why is Ohio's gas tax lower than Pennsylvania's?+
Pennsylvania's state excise tax of 58.7 cents per gallon is the highest in the country, more than 20 cents above Ohio's 38.5 cents. The Pennsylvania tax is the Oil Company Franchise Tax (OCFT), an excise tax originally enacted in 1980 and substantially increased in 2014. Ohio's lower tax produces direct retail-price savings of about 20 cents per gallon for Ohio drivers compared with Pennsylvanians.
Will Ohio gas prices stay near the national average?+
Our model projects Ohio prices will continue to track the national average under current policy. The state's tax has not been adjusted since 2019, none of the listed climate fuel rules are under serious consideration, and refinery capacity is stable. Ohio is a useful benchmark for what the national average looks like.