MO boasts second-cheapest gas in U.S.

At an average of $3.10 per gallon, Missouri laid claim to the second cheapest price of gasoline in the country this morning. South Carolina held the top spot, at $3.07 per gallon.

During the week of Nov. 5-11, Missouri's gas average slipped 0.6 cents to $3.10 per gallon yesterday, which was 46.2 cents lower than a month ago and 5.5 cents lower than a year ago. The U.S. average dropped 3.2 cents to $3.46 per gallon, a 32.6-cent decrease from a month ago but a 3.1-cent increase from a year ago, according to a GasBuddy.com news release.

"The national average has again decreased in the last week, but the decreases are beginning to slow down," GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan said in the release. "Wholesale gasoline prices rose strongly on Friday, which could send prices higher in states with (prices) among the lowest ... in the United States."

In Missouri, the least expensive gas this morning was available for $2.94 per gallon at a filling station in Concord. At $3.69 per gallon, a station in New Florence had the highest price, according to MissouriGasPrices.com.

Springfieldians could buy gas for as low as $3.05 per gallon at three stations:

• Phillips 66, 1655 W. Elfindale St.;
• Phillips 66, 3109 W. Sunshine St.; and
• Murphy USA, 3516 W. Sunshine St.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $86.09 per barrel as of 10:03 a.m., compared to a 52-week range of $77.56 to $109.95. Light sweet crude oil futures for December were trading at $86.05 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.