COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gas prices in Ohio are dropping closer to the $4 mark after reaching record highs.

The Monday survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express puts the state’s average price at $4.02 for a gallon of regular-grade gasoline.

That’s down 7 cents from last Monday but 22 cents above the $3.80 that drivers were paying a month ago. And it’s a steep increase compared with this time last year, when the average was $2.84.

Some industry analysts have said they expect fuel prices to decrease further in the next few weeks as the summer driving season begins and more gas becomes available.

Find the lowest gas prices in Toledo at toledoblade.com/gas.

First Published May 9, 2011, 11:49 a.m.