MO consumers see slight gas price increase

After six weeks of decreases in Missouri, the state's gas price average rose 1 cent during the week of May 7-13 to $3.48 per gallon.

Still, Missouri's average yesterday was 21.8 cents lower than a month ago and 35.1 cents lower than a year ago. Comparatively, the national average, which fell 3.3 cents during the week to $3.73 per gallon, was 16.5 cents lower than a month ago and 20.3 cents lower than on the same day in 2011, according to a GasBuddy.com news release.

"While gasoline prices east of the Rockies have been falling, the West Coast remains at the mercy of refinery production," said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst, in the release. "The entire West Coast right now is looking for any reason for a continuation in the price rally we've seen in the last week as supply remains tight and stakes high as Memorial Day weekend is just two weeks away."

Missouri's gas average rose another cent this morning, ranking it No. 8 on GasBuddy.com's list of the lowest gas averages by state. Oklahoma, with an average of $3.40 per gallon, topped the list.

As of 9:33 a.m., the lowest gas prices in the state could be found at myriad filling stations in Joplin, Webb City and Carl Junctions for $3.23 per gallon. In Springfield, the lowest price, $3.32 per gallon, was available at Sam's Club, 745 W. El Camino Alto Drive. Several stations also were selling gas for $3.35 per gallon, according to MissouriGasPrices.com.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $94.14 per barrel as of 9:37 a.m., down from $97.60 a week ago. Light sweet crude oil futures for June were trading at $94.13 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, according to the CME Group.[[In-content Ad]]