Gas Prices in Missouri remain seasonally low, according to AAA

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Gas prices across Missouri are averaging about $2.64 a gallon for regular unleaded, according to a recent press release from AAA. 

Prices do vary depending on where you are in the state, though. Drivers in St. Louis are currently paying the most, with an average of $2.78 per gallon.  

On the other end of the spectrum, drivers in Joplin are seeing some of the lowest prices, averaging around $2.50 a gallon.  

People in St. Joseph have definitely noticed a change at the pump lately — and for many, it’s a welcome one. 

Cameron Herring, who lives in St. Joseph, said he doesn’t always keep a close eye on gas prices, but even he has noticed they’ve been lower than usual.  

“I was just down in Texas this last week and it’s actually pretty low down there too. So its good to see gas prices coming back down for sure,” Herring said.  

For him, lower prices mean a little breathing room financially.  

“Kind of like the roller coaster that we been seeing I don’t know probably the last three or four years where for two or three weeks it would be kind of low and then all of sudden they just jump right back up,” Herring said.  

Dawson Rennison, another St. Joseph resident who moved to the area from Mexico, agrees that prices have improved — but he thinks they could drop a little more. 

He remembers a trip to Oklahoma last year when he noticed a big difference.  

“When I went down to Oklahoma last year, I had to pay $2.25 a gallon down there just for the premium and then i came back here the same day and it was like 30 cents more and I am like how can it be four hours away, so much cheaper,” Rennison said.  

Even so, Rennison acknowledged that prices are significantly lower than they were two years ago, and that’s an important change. 

He said keeping prices down matters, especially for people like him who drive larger vehicles.  

According to AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria, what drivers are seeing right now is pretty typical for this time of year.  

“This time of the year is when we see refineries, local gas stations, switching over from winter blend gasoline to summer blend gasoline and that one is a little more expensive to produce so that’s why we typically see prices rise in the spring time,” Chabarria said.  

Chabarria noted that even with the seasonal increase, the national average is still lower than it was at this time last year — meaning drivers are still saving compared to previous years. 

He said the seasonal switch can impact prices by anywhere from 15 to 20 cents per gallon, and that’s likely what drivers are noticing right now.  

“The change from winter blend gasoline to summer blend gasoline can account from anywhere between 15 to 20 cents of an impact on local pump prices and we are kind of in the midst of that right now,” Chabarria added.  

As prices continue to shift, many residents said they’re just hoping for some stability — or better yet, a few more cents off at the pump