Show-Me State gas prices shoot up

The average price of gas in Missouri jumped 15.7 cents during the past week to $2.56 per gallon yesterday, according to GasBuddy.com’s survey of 3,940 filling stations throughout the state.

While prices in the Show-Me State were 4.7 cents higher than a month ago, they still were 73.5 cents lower than the same day a year ago. The national average, which increased 8.5 cents during the past week to $2.68 per gallon, has decreased 9 cents during the past month and 77.5 cents during the past year, according to a news release.

"Hikes have been witnessed across many states, though the epicenter of gargantuan hikes was centered in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, where prices raced up by over 50 cents a gallon in mere days,” said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst, in the release. “At this point, it does appear that most of the price shocks are behind us, though if there are any curve balls that hit the market, all bets are off.”

With a price this morning of $2.55 per gallon, Missouri ranked No. 19 on GasBuddy’s list of the lowest averages in the nation. At $2.17 per gallon, South Carolina topped the list, while California was at the bottom with its $3.59 per gallon average.

Across Missouri, the lowest price this morning was $2.20 per gallon at a station in Poplar Bluff. The highest price, $3.39 per gallon, was at a station in Ladue, according to MissouriGasPrices.com.

Springfieldians could purchase gas at a citywide low price of $2.31 per gallon at Price Cutter Express, 1260 St. Louis St. Prices elsewhere ranged from $2.38 per gallon to $2.44 per gallon.

As of 9:27 a.m., West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at $42.11 per barrel, compared to a 52-week range of $41.35 to $92.26. Light sweet crude oil futures for September were trading at $42.04.