MO gas average falls 7.5 cents

Missouri's average retail gasoline price fell by 7.5 cents during the past week to $3.55 per gallon yesterday.

According to a news release from GasBuddy.com, which surveys 3,940 filling stations in Missouri, the state's March 3 average was 15.4 cents higher than a month ago but 0.8 cents lower than a year ago. The U.S. average, which dropped 2.8 cents during the past week to $3.70 per gallon yesterday, has increased 21.6 cents month-to-month but decreased 0.7 cents year-to-year.

"Gasoline prices have continued to remain relatively stable in the last week ... providing well-needed relief to motorists," GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan said in the release. "Perhaps more noteworthy, however, is the fact that current average gasoline prices have now fallen below their year-ago levels.

"And perhaps the best news is that the national average likely will continue to decline in most areas east of the Rockies in the week ahead as wholesale gasoline prices have given up ground."

Missouri's average dropped another cent this morning, placing the state at No. 9 on GasBuddy's list of the lowest gas averages in the nation. At $3.25 per gallon, Wyoming had the lowest average in the U.S., while Hawaii had the highest average, at $4.37 per gallon.

In Missouri, the lowest price for gas this morning could be purchased at two stations in Fenton, near St. Louis. The highest price, $3.82 per gallon, was selling at a station in Kansas City, according to MissouriGasPrices.com.

Springfieldians could buy gas as low as $3.46 per gallon at the Sam's Club stores at 745 W. El Camino Alto Drive and 3660 E. Sunshine St. Several stations in the city priced gas this morning at $3.51 per gallon.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $91.02 per barrel as of 9:43 a.m., compared to $93.36 a week ago. Light sweet crude oil futures for April were trading at $90.23 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.