MO gas average climbs 21 cents in last month

The price of gasoline in Missouri rose 10.4 cents during the past week to an average yesterday of $3.57 per gallon, a level even with the nationwide average.

According to GasBuddy.com, which surveys 3,940 filling stations in Missouri, the May 12 state average represented a 21-cent gain from the same day a month ago and an 8.8-cent increase from the same day a year ago. The U.S. average, which rose 6.2 cents during the week, has increased 5 cents during the past month but has decreased 15.4 cents during the past year, according to a news release.

With a gas average of $3.59 per gallon this morning, Missouri ranked 31st on GasBuddy's list of the lowest gas averages in the nation. Topping the list at $3.22 per gallon was South Carolina, while Hawaii landed at the bottom with an average of $4.35 per gallon.

In Missouri, the lowest price of gas this morning was available for $3.12 per gallon at a station in Sikeston. The most expensive price, $3.69 per gallon, was selling at stations near St. Louis and Kansas City.

The lowest price in Springfield, $3.46 per gallon, was selling at Sam's Club, 3660 E. Sunshine St. The 745 W. El Camino Alto Drive Sam's Club priced gas at $3.49 per gallon, the Conoco station at 2720 W. Kearney St. was selling for $3.57 per gallon and several stations were selling fuel for $3.59 per gallon, according to MissouriGasPrices.com.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $96.04 per barrel as of 9:13 a.m. Light sweet crude oil futures for June were trading at $94.78 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.