Columbus gas prices up, still below national average

Here's an excuse to squeeze in one last summer road trip: Columbus is feeling less pain at the pump when compared to the national average.

Yes, but: Our average price for a gallon of gas ($3.55) has still been trending upward most of this year, and is only a few cents lower than this time last year.

Between the lines: Gas prices have ticked up in recent weeks due to excessive heat in Gulf states like Texas and Louisiana, where many of the country's oil refineries are located.

• Refineries, which turn crude oil into products like gasoline, don't function as efficiently in 100+ degree weather, Axios' Emily Peck reports.