Gas prices surge as U.S. strikes on Iran disrupt oil markets

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Gas prices are surging across the United States as the conflict with Iran escalates.

According to AAA, the national average for gas is $3.47 per gallon. In Missouri, the average price is $2.98 per gallon, about 30 cents higher than last week.

In Buchanan County, the average gas price is $2.87 per gallon. AAA Spokesperson, Nick Chabarria said gas prices have risen due to two factors. 

“Primarily, they've been brought on by the conflict with Iran and the increase in oil prices as a result. The second factor is the seasonal switch over from winter blend gasoline to summer blend gasoline that happens annually every year around this time,” he said. “That typically accounts for about 10 to 15 cents of an increase at the pump.”

Chabarria said it’s hard to say if gas prices will go down.

“We know that the region where that conflict is taking place, a major part of the world's global oil supply goes through that region, about a 20%,” he said. “Any potential impact to oil transportation, oil infrastructure, drilling, anything like that, that's going to have an impact on oil prices, sending them upwards.”

Jerry Deering, a Kansas City resident, said the rising prices are adding an extra financial hardship.

"It's one of the things we can complain about- but I still have to get to work, so I have to pay for it. It would be great if they didn’t go up. I would like them to go down," Deering said.

Chabarria said good defensive driving habits can save you on fuel.

“Avoiding habits like hard breaking and accelerating, those things burn up an unnecessary amount of fuel. Making sure you're practicing safe driving. Driving the speed limit, most vehicles, when you go over 50 miles an hour,” he said. “Highway speeds, in some areas that dramatically decrease your fuel economy.”

Chabarria said that with oil prices trending upward, gas prices are expected to continue rising.