By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The national gas price average has jumped back over the $2 a gallon mark and prices are going up in Kansas, as well.
"Here in Kansas, we are at $1.86 today, which is up 15 cents in the past week," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "We're still 12th cheapest in the nation, which is good."
Reno County's average as of Thursday is $1.85. In Hutchinson, a lot of stations are at $1.89.
"We're seeing the highest demand since mid-March, when a lot of state's started issuing stay at home orders," Steward said. "That is definitely driving it."
As is typical in the summer, Steward expects prices to continue to rise.
"Last weekend, OPEC and some of its partners decided to extend their production cuts through July, which is keeping supply in check," Steward said.
Steward expects to see Kansas gas prices get over $2 a gallon soon, which is still well below the average for this time of year nationally in the last five years. That average was $2.81.