NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Gas prices are still well above $3.50 a gallon, but they may be heading in a downward direction, according to Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas.
"In Kansas, we're at $3.69 average today, which is down four cents in the last week," Steward said. "The recent drop in the national average and the Kansas average, while small, are fairly typical this time of year."
Area counties fall on both sides of the state average.
Reno $3.62
McPherson $3.60
Harvey $3.60
Sedgwick $3.70
Kingman $3.85
Pratt $3.87
Stafford $3.72
Rice $3.62
"The gradual seasonal decline in pump prices is being slowed by higher crude oil prices," Steward said. "They have been hovering around $90 a barrel recently."
Also, the fall and winter months tend to mean less driving overall, but that hasn't really happened yet.
"Domestic demand was actually a little bit up," Steward said. "That's sort of bucking the trend for this time of year when we start to see that reduction. We're really going to have to take a look at it. A lot of the dynamics that we consider normal are not necessarily showing as of now."
In addition, geopolitical concerns that could have an effect on supply are still out there, including the continuing of output reductions by Saudi Arabia in recent months.
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