By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Gas prices continue to rise here in Reno County, in Kansas and across the country.
"Reno County is at $3.04 a gallon on average, that's three cents less than the statewide average of $3.07," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "If there is some silver lining here, Kansas is the sixth-lowest gas price in the nation."
As it has been throughout this increase, it's driven by crude oil market prices.
"The WTI crude futures prices right now are over $82 a barrel," Steward said. "When we look at where we were in August, those prices were in the low 60s."
There's no way to know if any end is in sight.
"It's hard to predict all the market factors and competitive issues and those crude oil producers having an impact on where we are with those prices," Steward said.
There is also concern that heating oil prices being elevated for the winter months could continue to give overall support to the market.