Missouri gas prices rise 5 cents as national average tops $4

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

MISSOURI (KBSI) – Missouri drivers are paying more at the pump this week as gasoline prices rise across the state and nationwide.

According to the AAA Missouri Weekend Gas Watch, the statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.78, up 5 cents from last week.

Missouri’s average is also 95 cents higher than it was at this time last year.

Among the major metropolitan areas surveyed by AAA, Jefferson City has the state’s highest average at $3.87 per gallon. St. Louis has the lowest at $3.71.

Missouri currently ranks as the 12th least expensive gasoline market in the country.

Nationally, the average price for regular gasoline has climbed to about $4.07 per gallon after falling to $4 on Monday. AAA said the country is experiencing its highest August gasoline average on record.

The national average was about $3.87 one month ago and $3.16 at this time last year.

AAA attributed continued pressure on pump prices in part to crude oil prices, which remain above $80 per barrel amid uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows gasoline demand decreased from 9.03 million barrels per day to 8.96 million last week. Domestic gasoline supplies also declined from 209.7 million barrels to 208.7 million barrels.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil settled at $83.27 per barrel Wednesday.

AAA reported California has the nation’s highest gasoline average at $5.58 per gallon, while Louisiana has the lowest at $3.57.