ST. LOUIS — The average price of gas across the state of Missouri is the highest it's been since October 2014.
According to AAA Missouri Weekend Gas Watch, the statewide average gas price is $2.97 for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel. That is three cents more compared to this time last week and $1.10 more per gallon compared to this time last year.
While Missouri's price is the highest it's been in years, it's still lower than what most Americans are paying across the country.
The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.30, which is five cents more than last week and $1.12 more than this time last year, according to AAA Gas Prices.
The average price of gas in Missouri is at its highest price point in seven years, AAA said. On Oct. 9, 2014 the average price was also $2.97 per gallon.
AAA said while gas prices are significantly higher than they were in 2020, they are still shy of the record high set back in July 2008, which was $3.94 per gallon.
One of the key factors in the recent rise in gas prices is the price of crude oil, which accounts for between 50% and 60% of what drivers pay at the pump, AAA said.
“With more people driving compared to last year, demand for fuel is on the rise. Factor in surging crude oil prices due to OPEC+ forgoing further production increases and we’re seeing a trend that we’re not used to seeing in October,” AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria said in a news release.
Although you may be seeing an increase at the pump, Missouri drivers continue to pay some of the cheapest gas prices in the U.S. – ranking fifth lowest in the country.
