(KTTS News) — Gas prices in Missouri are up an average of 16 cents a gallon compared to last week.
The statewide average price for a gallon of unleaded is now $2.80.
The average price in Springfield is $2.81 a gallon, while Joplin is $2.73 a gallon.
St. Joseph has the lowest price in Missouri at $2.72 a gallon.
Missouri now has the 10th cheapest gas prices in the country.
The average price nationwide is now $3.15 a gallon, up five cents from last week.
A slight increase in crude oil prices and an increase in demand are blamed for the higher prices.
Press Release
The statewide gas price average in Missouri is $2.80 for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel, according to the AAA Missouri Weekend Gas Watch.
That price is 16 cents more compared to this day last week and is 37 cents less per gallon compared to this day last year.
Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in Missouri, drivers in St. Louis are paying the most on average at $2.95 while drivers in St. Joseph are paying the least at $2.72 per gallon.
The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.15, which is five cents more compared to this day last week and 35 cents less than the price per gallon at this same time last year, according to AAA Gas Prices.
Drivers in Missouri, and around the country, saw fuel prices jump this week.
Crude oil is approximately $4 more per barrel compared to a month ago.
In addition, the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows an increase in demand for fuel across the nation.
Both factors are contributing to an increase at the pumps.
“All signs in the oil and gas industry – supply, demand, and crude oil – currently point to higher fuel prices for drivers,” said AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria. “As long as these factors remain unchanged, particularly higher crude oil prices, drivers can expect to pay more when filling up.”
Drivers in Missouri are paying the 10th lowest gas price average in the country, according to gasprices.aaa.com.
