MO gas average rises 5 cents

The average retail price of gasoline in Missouri rose 5 cents during the week of July 9–15 to $3.29 per gallon yesterday, according to gas-price tracker GasBuddy.com.

The price point was 3.4 cents lower than a month ago and 33.4 cents lower than the same day last year. The national average, which rose 1 cent to $3.42 per gallon during the week, was 11 cents lower than a month ago and 24.7 cents lower than a year ago, according to a GasBuddy.com news release.

"Those who stuck around the low gas-price party expecting it to last have realized they're out in the cold," said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst, in the release. "Oil prices are well off their recent lows, and we'll likely continue to see the national average rise in response. Most regions should see prices rising."

Missouri ranked No. 15 this morning on GasBuddy.com's list of the lowest gas averages by state. At an average of $3.03 per gallon, South Carolina has the least expensive gas prices in the nation.

In Missouri, the lowest gas prices could be found for $2.96 per gallon at four filling stations in Dexter. The most expensive gas, $3.49 per gallon, was selling at three stations in Town and Country and central St. Louis.

Springfieldians could find the lowest gas prices at Kum & Go, 425 N. West Bypass, for $3.19 per gallon, according to MissouriGasPrices.com.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $87.15 per barrel as of 9:46 a.m., up from $84.54 a week ago. Light sweet crude oil futures for August were trading at $87.27 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.