If you think you're seeing things at the gas pump, you are. According to GasBuddy price reports, Missouri gas prices have risen 11 cents per gallon in the past week.
The monitoring website states gas prices in the Show-Me state are averaging $2.44 per gallon Monday following a daily survey of 3,940 stations. Gas prices in Missouri are 29.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago, yet stand 11.0 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
Monday, gas prices were at $2.49 on both sides of Fulton. This price is 5 cents higher than the state average.
According to GasBuddy, the cheapest regular unleaded gas in Missouri was priced at $2.19 per gallon on Monday; the most expensive was $3.09 per gallon, a difference of 90 cents per gallon. Gas prices across the country Monday ranged from a low of $1.12per gallon up to $5.04per gallon, a difference of $3.92.
"Thanks to increasing demand and tightening gasoline stocks across the country, March gas prices came in like a lion and will not go out like a lamb," AAA spokesperson Jeanette Casselano said. "State gas price averages are very similar to a year ago give or take a few pennies, which means some motorists are paying among the most expensive averages seen this time of year in the last five years."
The American Automobile Association also reported prices in Missouri raised 15 cents in the last week - the highest rise in the nation, followed by California, Indiana and Arizona.
The national average price of gasoline has risen 6.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.62 per gallon. The national average is up 22.2 cents per gallon from a month ago, yet stands 2.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
"Gasoline prices have increased in all 50 states in the last week as refineries continue working toward cleaner, more expensive gasoline and as oil prices have continued creeping higher," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "There shouldn't be any surprises that prices continue to migrate higher given the warnings in the past few months, though that doesn't make it any easier for motorists to digest higher gas prices. Unfortunately as seasonal issues continue to weigh on markets along with higher oil prices, it's likely we'll continue to be in this pattern for at least a few more weeks."
A year ago, the average price in Missouri was $2.33per gallon and the U.S. average was $2.60per gallon. The lowest March 25 gas price was in 2016 at $1.86 in Missouri. The lowest March 25 gas price nationally was $1.98 in 2009.