MO consumers see 7-cent gas price uptick

The average retail price of gasoline in Missouri rose 7 cents during the week of July 2-8 to $3.24 per gallon yesterday.

Missouri's average was 17 cents below the U.S. average, which increased 3.8 cents during the week, according to a GasBuddy.com news release.

"After a dramatic decline in gasoline prices in virtually every region in the past month, gasoline prices have started to rise," said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst, in the release. "While I don't necessarily believe that the recent uptick in crude prices will stick, I also don't see prices falling considerably lower until after the conclusion of the summer driving season, when demand declines and more expensive blends are phased out."

Missouri's average yesterday was 9.3 cents lower than a month ago and 29.7 cents lower than a year ago, and the national average of $3.41 per gallon was 15.2 cents lower than the same day a month ago and 21.4 cents lower than the same time last year.

Missouri's average held the No. 13 spot on GasBuddy.com's list of the lowest gas averages by state after its average price increased 1 cent this morning. South Carolina, with an average of $3 per gallon, had the least expensive gas in the nation.

Two filling stations in Campbell and Kennett had the cheapest gas in Missouri this morning, at $2.96 per gallon, while four separate stations in Ladue, Richmond Heights, south St. Louis and Town and Country had the most expensive gas with $3.39 per gallon.

In Springfield, the lowest price for gas was $3.05 per gallon at Sam's Club, 745 W. El Camino Alto Drive, and several stations were selling gas for $3.11-$3.12 per gallon, according to MissouriGasPrices.com.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $84.54 per barrel as of 9:04 a.m., up from $83.46 a week ago. Light sweet crude oil futures for August were trading at $84.51 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.