Cape Girardeau records Missouri’s highest average gas price

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Cape Girardeau drivers are paying the highest average gas price among Missouri’s major metropolitan areas, according to AAA.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Cape Girardeau is $3.94. Joplin has the lowest average among the surveyed cities at $3.70 per gallon.

Missouri’s statewide average is $3.81 per gallon, down 3 cents from last week but 97 cents higher than a year ago.

The national average remains nearly unchanged at about $4.09 per gallon. That is 95 cents higher than this time last year.

AAA said elevated crude oil prices could delay the seasonal relief drivers often see in August. West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $84.46 per barrel Wednesday as instability continued near the Strait of Hormuz.

Federal data show U.S. gasoline demand increased slightly last week, while domestic gasoline supplies remained flat.