Missouri Fuel Gauge Report
According
to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report, as of January 24, 2011 the retail price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Missouri averaged $2.95 per gallon,
16 cents
lower than the national average of $3.11. Missouri pump prices were
the fourth lowest in the nation.
Although weather and geopolitical events can affect fuel prices quickly, the
recent increase in gas prices has had many people wondering why? The main cost of crude oil on the global marketplace helps dictate the price of gasoline and with the economic conditions improving worldwide, the demand for oil has been steadily rising resulting in higher gas prices we are seeing today. However as the graph to the right shows, average gas prices in Missouri have been consistently lower than the U.S. average.
Utah, Idaho and Wyoming led the nation with the lowest gas prices. Missouri posted the fourth-lowest gas prices in the nation, tied with Colorado and South Carolina.
| Top Ten Lowest Gas Price in the Nation | ||||
| State | Regular | Mid | Premium | Diesel |
| Utah | $2.81 | $2.96 | $3.09 | $3.36 |
| Wyoming | $2.84 | $2.97 | $3.16 | $3.35 |
| Idaho | $2.93 | $3.09 | $3.18 | $3.42 |
| Missouri | $2.95 | $3.07 | $3.25 | $3.27 |
| South Carolina | $2.95 | $3.13 | $3.28 | $3.27 |
| Colorado | $2.95 | $3.15 | $3.29 | $3.35 |
| Mississippi | $2.96 | $3.12 | $3.26 | $3.27 |
| Texas | $2.96 | $3.13 | $3.24 | $3.30 |
| Tennessee | $2.97 | $3.14 | $3.29 | $3.30 |
Missouri gas prices were 11 cents higher than one month ago. Average diesel prices were $3.26 per gallon, 15 cents lower than the national average.
Hawaii topped gas prices in the nation at $3.69 a gallon followed by Alaska with $3.57. For a list of all of the states, click here.
Missouri and Its Neighbors
Missouri gas prices were the lowest of all its neighboring states, slightly lower than Tennessee, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Illinois has the highest average gas prices at $3.23 a gallon followed by Nebraska at $3.18.
| Missouri and Border Border States Gas Prices | ||||
| State | Regular | Mid | Premium | Diesel |
| Missouri | $2.95 | $3.07 | $3.25 | $3.27 |
| Tennessee | $2.97 | $3.14 | $3.29 | $3.30 |
| Oklahoma | $2.98 | $3.08 | $3.25 | $3.25 |
| Arkansas | $2.99 | $3.15 | $3.36 | $3.34 |
| Kentucky | $3.06 | $3.28 | $3.43 | $3.35 |
| Iowa | $3.10 | $3.27 | $3.42 | $3.40 |
| Nebraska | $3.18 | $3.25 | $3.34 | $3.41 |
| Illinois | $3.23 | $3.47 | $3.58 | $3.48 |
Missouri Metro Areas
Columbia had the lowest gas prices in Missouri at $2.89 per gallon, followed by Springfield ($2.93), Kansas City($2.94) and St. Louis ($2.97). The highest price was in the St. Joseph area at $3 .00 a gallon.
| Missouri Metro Area Gas Prices | ||||
| Area | Regular | Mid | Premium | Diesel |
| Columbia | $2.89 | $3.01 | $3.18 | $3.32 |
| Springfield | $2.93 | $3.05 | $3.23 | $3.24 |
| Kansas City (MO only) | $2.94 | $3.05 | $3.23 | $3.28 |
| St. Louis (MO only) | $2.97 | $3.09 | $3.27 | $3.24 |
| St. Joseph | $3.00 | $3.12 | $3.30 | $3.32 |
Source: AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report, CNN
