MO gas average falls slightly after spike

After the prior week saw Missouri gas customers taking a 20-cent hit, the average price in the state dropped marginally by 1.5 cents during the week ending Feb. 24.

Yesterday's average was $3.63 per gallon, representing a 49.6-cent increase from a month ago and a 14.4-cent bump from the same day a year ago. The national average, which rose 2.9 cents during the past week to $3.72 per gallon, has increased 42 cents during the past month and 9.1 cents during the past year, according to a GasBuddy.com news release.

Missouri's average was unchanged this morning, ranking the state No. 12 on GasBuddy.com's list of the lowest gas averages in the nation. Wyoming held the top spot, with an average of $3.17 per gallon, while Hawaii ranked last, with an average of $4.36 per gallon. 

In Missouri, the least expensive gas this morning could be found for $3.44 per gallon at a Sam's Club in Wentzville, while a high price of $3.79 per gallon was available at three stations in West Quincy and one in Portageville, according to MissouriGasPrices.com.

The Sam's Club locations in Springfield – 745 W. El Camino Alto Drive and 3660 E. Sunshine St. - had the lowest gas price in the city, at $3.50 per gallon. Three stations were selling gas at $3.56 per gallon – Murphy USA, 3516 W. Sunshine St.; Phillips 66, 3109 W. Sunshine St.; and Valero, 1310 W. Grand St. - and several stations priced gas at $3.57 per gallon.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $93.36 per barrel as of 8:46 a.m., compared to $96.08 a week ago. Light sweet crude oil futures for April were trading at $93.59 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.