KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Inflation numbers released Friday show gas prices rising nationwide.
However, the Kansas City metro bucks that trend with average gas prices down about 20 cents per gallon from last summer. This good news arrives as may ends, and the summer travel season warms up.
Prices at the pump continue to slide to the friendly side. Many gas stations in the Kansas City metro have a gallon of unleaded juice at or near three dollars per gallon, which is significantly cheaper than it was a year ago.
Prices for a gallon of 87 octane gasoline vary from location to location across the metro. The Murphy USA station off N. Church Road near Liberty has signs that read $2.95 per gallon, while the Quiktrip location off Westport Road near Midtown sits on the high side at $3.19 for a gallon of the good stuff.
“Some stations may already be dropping below that three dollar per gallon mark,” Nick Chabarria, spokesperson for AAA of Missouri, said.
Energy analysts point to steady costs for crude oil as helping benefit motorists at the gas pumps.
AAA posts these current costs for gas:
- KANSAS CITY METRO — $3.06
- MISSOURI — $3.15
- KANSAS — $3.10
- NATIONAL AVERAGE — $3.56
“Last year, we were dealing with near record-high inflation. That subsided a little bit, so gas prices as well as other prices are going to start to come down a little bit. Take advantage of the relatively lower prices right now,” Chabarria added.
More good news for drivers in the metro. AAA says Missouri and Kansas rank in the top 10 nationally for cheapest gas prices. It might not surprise you that California is the most expensive, at just over five dollars per gallon, according to Gas Buddy.
