MO gas prices fall through Labor Day

Leading up to the Labor Day holiday, Missouri's average retail gas price fell 3.2 cents during the past week to $3.67 per gallon yesterday.

Comparatively, the national average increased 1.4 cents during the week to $3.80 per gallon. Missouri's Labor Day average was 17.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and 16.6 cents higher than a year ago, while the U.S. average has increased 20.3 cents during the past month and 12.9 cents during the past year, according to a GasBuddy.com news release.

"With the conclusion of the summer driving season, we can expect gasoline prices to go on a diet," said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst, in the release. "Like all diet programs, you may not see immediate loss in the short term, but we'll likely see some loss in the longer term, say the next several weeks, as factors align in motorists' favor."

DeHaan pointed to Hurricane Isaac coming to an end, a demand for a seasonal decline and cheaper winter fuel as reasons prices may drop.

Missouri's average increased two cents this morning, landing the state at No. 14 on GasBuddy.com's list of the lowest gas averages by state. At an average of $3.51 per gallon, Colorado held the top spot, while Hawaii ranked at the bottom with an average of $4.32 per gallon.

As of 9:28 a.m., the least expensive gas in Missouri could be found at a filling station in Poplar Bluff for $3.46 per gallon, and the most expensive gas was selling for $3.90 per gallon at a station in Lake Ozark.

In Springfield, the lowest price was $3.52 per gallon at Sam's Club, 745 W. El Camino Alto Drive. Several stations in Springfield were selling gas at $3.59 per gallon, according to MissouriGasPrices.com.


West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $96.06 per barrel as of 9:30 a.m., compared to a 52-week range of $75.92 to $109.95. Light sweet crude oil futures for October were trading at $95.69 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.