State gas average down 7 cents

Missouri's average retail gas price fell 7.3 cents during the past week to $3.51 per gallon yesterday.

The state's July 28 average was 20.9 cents higher than a month ago and 16.1 cents higher than a year ago, according to a news release from GasBuddy.com, which analyzes 3,940 filling stations in Missouri.

The U.S. average dropped 2.7 cents during the past week to $3.65 per gallon, a 14-cent month-to-month increase and 15-cent year-to-year jump.

"After an impressive run that saw the national average begin to approach its springtime high, it appears prices have plateaued - at least for now," GasBuddy.com senior petroleum Aanalyst Patrick DeHaan said in the release. "Oil prices appear to be taking a breather, but with the peak of hurricane season approaching, a continued upward trajectory in gasoline prices is certainly possible, should we see a major storm take aim for the Gulf."

Missouri ranked No. 14 this morning on GasBuddy's list of the lowest gas averages in the U.S. South Carolina held the No. 1 spot, at $3.28 per gallon, while Hawaii bottomed out the list with an average of $4.37 per gallon.

In Missouri, the least expensive gas in the state this morning was available for $3.23 per gallon at a station in Mountain Grove. The highest-price gas, $3.69 per gallon, was selling at nine stations in Ladue, St. Louis, Richmond Heights, Chesterfield, Town and Country, Kirkwood and Maplewood, according to MissouriGasPrices.com.

Springfieldians could find the lowest price for $3.36 per gallon at the city's Sam's Club locations, 3660 E. Sunshine St. and 745 W. El Camino Alto Drive. The Conoco station at 1207 W. Kearney St. was selling gas at $3.38 per gallon, while other stations ranged form $3.39 per gallon to $3.49 per gallon.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $104.70 per barrel as of 9:20 a.m. Light sweet crude oil futures for September were trading at $104.33 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.[[In-content Ad]]