NORTHEAST OHIO - Gas prices in Northeast Ohio are slightly lower than last week as crude oil prices drop.

This week's average gas price for Northeast Ohio is $3.182 per gallon. The average last week was $3.210.

The average price during this time in 2020 was $1.919.

Niles has the lowest average price in the area at $3.177 followed by Youngstown with $3.201.

The national average per gallon is currently $3.39, which is one cent less than last week and $1.27 more than the same time last year.

AAA says it is unclear at this point what long-term impact the Omicron COVID variant may have on demand.