(KTTS News) — Gas prices rose slightly in Missouri, just in time for drivers to hit the road for the holidays.
AAA Missouri says the average statewide price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel in Missouri is $2.71 a gallon.
That’s up four cents compared to last week and two cents compared to the same day last year.
It marks the first upward turn for gas prices in the Show Me State since September.
Drivers in Springfield are paying an average of $2.67 a gallon.
Joplin has the lowest price in the state at $2.63 per gallon.
Press Release
The statewide gas price average in Missouri is $2.71 for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel, according to the AAA Missouri Weekend Gas Watch.
That price is four cents more compared to this day last week and is two cents more per gallon compared to this day last year.
Of the major metropolitan areas surveyed in Missouri, drivers in Jefferson City are paying the most on average at $2.80 while drivers in Joplin are paying the least at $2.63 per gallon.
The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.12, which is two cents more compared to this day last week and one cent more than the price per gallon at this same time last year, according to AAA Gas Prices.
After falling to a yearly low on December 18 at $2.64 per gallon, the Missouri statewide average rebounded seven cents to $2.71.
This marks the first upward turn for gas prices in the Show Me State since September.
For the two million Missourians AAA expects to drive more than 50 miles from home to their Christmas and New Year destinations, they will pay about 20-30 cents more than the five-year Christmastime gas price average of $2.50, according to AAA Historical Gas Prices.
“After months of steady decline, drivers can expect to see gas prices fluctuate to end the year,” said AAA Spokesperson Nick Chabarria. “Holiday travelers can make sure their vehicle is running efficiently by keeping up with regular engine maintenance, like getting the oil changed, and properly inflating tires ahead of long road trips.”
Drivers in Missouri are paying the 5th lowest gas price average in the country, according to gasprices.aaa.com.
