PARKERSBURG – AAA’s latest gas price report shows average fuel prices cheaper on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River.

According to the most recent AAA East Central Gas Price Report, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Parkersburg is $3.69, 22 cents lower than the northern West Virginia average of $3.91. It’s also 43 cents lower than the national average of $4.12.

In Marietta, the average price is $3.91, one penny higher than the South Central Ohio average, but it is not the highest price in the region. That’s $3.999 in Ironton.

Gas prices are 10 cents higher in South Central Ohio this week than the previous week at $3.90 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

While crude oil prices remain high, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has been falling over the past few days and is now a penny more than last week at $4.12.

Since the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, the price for a barrel of crude dropped below $100 but then rose again, highlighting the volatility of oil markets and fluidity of geopolitical events.

Monday’s national average is 50 cents more than a month ago and 94 cents more than a year ago.

Parkersburg has the lowest average in the area. Other West Virginia prices are:

* Huntington, $3.793

* Martinsburg, $3.818

* Wheeling, $3.912

* Weirton, $3.914

* Clarksburg, $3.986

* Bridgeport, $3.998

* Morgantown, $4.194

In Ohio, other prices are:

* Washington Court House, $3.797

* East Liverpool, $3.806

* Portsmouth, $3.838

* Steubenville, $3.91

* Gallipolis, $3.976

* Athens, $3.996

* Ironton, $3.999

The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California, $5.92; Hawaii, $5.63; Washington, $5.40; Oregon; Nevada, $5.01; Arizona, $4.73; Alaska, $4.64; Illinois, $4.42; Idaho, $4.32 and Washington, D.C., $4.29.

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Oklahoma, $3.47; Kansas, $3.48; North Dakota, $3.60; Nebraska, $3.62; Arkansas, $3.65; Missouri, $3.66; South Dakota, $3.69; Iowa, $3.69; Minnesota, $3.74 and Georgia, $3.74.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.68 million barrels per day to 8.56 million.

Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 240.9 million barrels to 239.3 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.4 million barrels per day.