MO gas average lands 7 cents below national price

Missouri's average retail gasoline price rose 7.6 cents during the week of Aug. 6-12 to $3.60 yesterday.

The state's average was 7 cents below the national average, which increased 5.4 cents during the week, according to a GasBuddy.com news release.

Missouri's average yesterday was 30.5 cents higher than last month and 22.4 cents higher than last year. The national average of $3.67 per gallon was 24.8 cents higher than a month ago and 5.7 cents higher than the same day in 2011.

"The national average has spiked 25 cents per gallon just in the last month, thanks to an onslaught of refinery problems - mainly in the Great Lakes and California," said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst, in the release. "While these situations are temporary in nature, it goes to show this nation's dependence on domestic refineries.

"While oil prices have gained in recent days, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for motorists. Driving season will be over in less than a month, and soon thereafter the Environmental Protection Agency also relaxes gasoline mandates, meaning cheaper winter fuel."

The Missouri average, which increased 1 cent this morning, ranked the state No. 21 on GasBuddy.com's list of the lowest gas averages in the U.S. With an average of $3.30 per gallon, Arizona ranked No. 1, and Hawaii was at the bottom of the list with an average of $4.12 per gallon.

In Missouri, the least expensive gas could be found for $3.29 per gallon at three filling stations in Poplar Bluff. The most expensive gas, $3.79 per gallon, was available at a station in central St. Louis, according to MissouriGasPrices.com.

Springfield consumers could purchase the least expensive gas in the city for $3.44 per gallon at Sam's Club, 745 W. El Camino Alto Drive.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $93.56 per barrel as of 9:41 a.m., up from $91.09 a week ago. Light sweet crude oil futures for September were trading at $92.12 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.