Last week, someone in our group chat mentioned that Ohio's average is $4.40 and Kentucky's is $4.03, so we should definitely cross the bridge to fill up. Looking at just the numbers, a 37-cent difference is tempting.

However, when I hear statements like that, I tend to check the data first. So, I took a look at the AAA state page myself.

To cut to the chase, those numbers were accurate. However, they were based on a week-old data. According to AAA, around October 25, Ohio's regular average was $4.41, while Kentucky's was $4.04.

Looking again as of November 1, the picture changes quite a bit. Ohio's average has dropped to $4.15, while Kentucky's average has fallen to $3.90.

On a state average basis, Kentucky is still about 25 cents cheaper. Up to this point, it seems crossing the bridge is the right choice.

But the really important factor is not the state average, but the prices within our travel routes. The Kentucky average includes areas like Bowling Green or Henderson, where prices are in the mid-$3 range.

When looking at the regional averages that AAA separately compiles, the situation flips. On the same day, the Cincinnati metro average in Ohio was $4.12.

In contrast, the Covington metro average across the river was $4.22. Yes, right now, Northern Kentucky is actually about 10 cents more expensive. I double-checked this number myself.

This situation arose due to Ohio's fuel tax holiday. Governor DeWine signed House Bill 519 on October 1, and it went into effect at 12:01 AM on October 4.

According to the Ohio Department of Taxation, the gasoline tax, which was originally 38.5 cents per gallon, has effectively dropped to zero. Diesel has also dropped from 47 cents to effectively zero.

The duration is until 11:59 PM on January 2, 2027, exactly 90 days. The state government plans to cover this lost revenue by reallocating $725 million from reserves.

Additionally, this law includes a condition that gas stations must pass the savings on to consumers. If they don't, it can be reported as unfair trade to the state attorney general.

In fact, Northern Kentucky's lower prices were originally due to taxes. Kentucky's gasoline tax is around 26.4 cents per gallon this year, which is lower than Ohio's 38.5 cents.

That tax difference has now disappeared. Kentucky's Governor Beshear froze the scheduled increase in May, but the tax itself wasn't eliminated.

In fact, a mid-September report from Fox19 showed that before the holiday, Cincinnati was at $4.32 and Northern Kentucky was at $4.25. The difference was only about 7 cents, which was smaller than expected.

So, let's do some calculations. If you fill up a 15-gallon tank, a 10-cent difference amounts to $1.50. Even a 25-cent difference would be $3.75.

Now, we need to factor in the round trip distance. If you take a 10-mile detour with a car that gets 25 mpg, you'll burn about 0.4 gallons, which costs over $1.60 at current prices.

Ultimately, if you're not someone who usually crosses the bridge for your commute, making a special trip might just break even or even cost you more. Considering time makes it even less worthwhile.

Diesel follows a similar trend. As of November 1, the average diesel price is $6.45 in Ohio and $6.12 in Kentucky, but the Covington metro across the river is at $6.33, only a 12-cent difference from Ohio.

For those driving trucks or diesel SUVs, the reasons to cross the river are weakening. It's much more efficient to find the lowest prices on the Ohio side using the GasBuddy app.

Of course, there are valid counterarguments. Looking at state averages, Kentucky is still cheaper, and there are certainly days when gas stations across the river have lower prices due to significant price variations.

So, I would suggest looking at the prices at that specific gas station on that day rather than relying solely on state averages or group chat numbers. Prices can vary quite a bit even within the same neighborhood based on brand or location.

There is a specific date you should really pay attention to: January 2. Once the holiday ends, Ohio's 38.5 cents will be reinstated.

After that, crossing the river for gas may become a meaningful choice again. If you have travel plans for the end of the year, it's better to fill up in Ohio before January 2.

I enjoy driving to nearby places every weekend, so my monthly gas expenses add up. Therefore, during this holiday period, I decided to fill up at the Ohio gas stations along my route.

Instead, I noted on my calendar not to let my tank run low during the last week of December. It's a small habit, but after three months, it can save enough for a few cups of coffee.

To summarize, right now, crossing the river is not necessarily cheaper, and after January 2, it will be worth reconsidering. Always check the numbers along with the date.

Prices change daily, so I recommend checking AAA or GasBuddy just once before filling up. That 30 seconds could significantly impact your winter gas expenses.