Missouri doesn’t follow upward US gas trend

During the past week, 38 states experienced increases in gas prices. Missouri wasn’t one of them.

The Show-Me State’s average ticked down 0.8 cents during the past week to $2.10 per gallon yesterday. Comparatively, the U.S. average rose 2.4 cents to $2.31 per gallon, according to a GasBuddy news release.

Missouri prices have decreased 0.7 cents during the past month but increased 42.5 cents during the past year. U.S. prices were up 5 cents from a month ago and 49.5 cents from a year ago.

"Gasoline prices are starting to pick up steam as a majority of states see their average rise over last week, a function of the season's theatrics coming into view: refinery maintenance and the transition to cleaner gasoline pumping up prices,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy, in the release. "Some states’ gas prices may slightly lag the upward trend being seen in 38 states as remaining winter gasoline inventories are purged.”

This morning, Missouri ranked eighth on GasBuddy’s list of the lowest gas averages in the nation. At the top was South Carolina, at $2.04 per gallon, while Hawaii was last, at $3.04 per gallon.

Across Missouri, the lowest cost of gas this morning was recorded at a station in Fredericktown, at $1.92 per gallon. The highest price was $2.89 per gallon at a station in Ladue, according to MissouriGasPrices.com.

Springfieldians could purchase gas for $2.03 per gallon at the 3165 N. Glenstone Ave. Conoco station. Prices elsewhere in the city ranged from $2.05 to $2.09 per gallon.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $53.25 per barrel as of 8:53 a.m., compared with a 52-week range of $40.97 to $56.92.