Gas prices rise significantly

The average retail price of gasoline in Missouri jumped by nearly 20 cents last week, outpacing a 14.4-cent increase on the national level.

Missouri's average yesterday ended at $3.34 per gallon, compared to $3.48 per gallon nationwide, according to GasBuddy.com.

The state's average has risen 29.9 cents during the last month and 9.5 cents during the last year, while the U.S. average increased 21.1 cents month-to-month and 4.4 cents year-to-year.

"The national average has ticked higher in the last week, as rising oil prices have put upward pressure on gasoline prices," said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst, in the release. "Unfortunately for angry motorists, there doesn't seem to be much relief in sight - at least for the time being - as retail prices continue to climb in virtually all areas of the country."

At $3.35 per gallon this morning, Missouri's gas average ranked the state No. 18 on GasBuddy.com's list of the lowest gas averages nationwide. Wyoming had the lowest average - $2.87 per gallon - while Hawaii had the highest, at $4.09 per gallon.

In Missouri, the lowest price of gas this morning was $2.96 per gallon at a filling station in Harrisonville. Five stations in West Quincy and one in Festus had the highest price in the state, at $3.49 per gallon. GasBuddy analysts track more than 3,900 stations in Missouri, the release said.

In Springfield, the Sam's Club stores at 745 W. El Camino Alto Drive and 3660 E. Sunshine St. had the lowest average, $3.26 per gallon, while myriad stations were selling gas at $3.29 per gallon.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $97.61 per barrel as of 9:46 a.m., compared to $96.09 a week ago. Light sweet crude oil futures for March were trading at $96.65 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.