NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The summer rise in gas prices in Kansas and across the country continues, according to Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas.
"Prices have been gradually rising over the past several weeks," Steward said. "We had a pretty stable first half of the year. We saw prices generally in the $3.25 a gallon range for several months. Then, a couple of months ago, we started seeing an increase in prices. That was timed with a higher demand for gasoline during the summer vacation season and also a rise in global crude oil prices."
The problem is that more than half of the price of a gallon of gas at the pump is based on the price of the crude oil from which it is refined.
"We've continued to see volatility," Steward said. "Earlier this summer, we were looking at upper 60s to lower 70 dollars per barrel on the crude oil market. Today, we're at about $83 per barrel. That increase, which is pretty significant on the crude oil market has translated to our higher prices."
Local prices are on either side of Kansas statewide average of $3.66 a gallon.
Reno: $3.42
McPherson: $3.52
Harvey: $3.40
Sedgwick: $3.70
Kingman: $3.67
Pratt: $3.77
Stafford: $3.65
Rice: $3.51
Prices may go down as we get toward fall, however.
"With kids getting back to school, we typically do see a decrease in demand," Steward said. "We anticipate that will likely be the case here, as we head into September and throughout the fall. Once the summer blend gasolines are no longer in the system, that can typically reduce prices at the pump by a few cents, as well."
The national average as of Friday is $3.84 a gallon.
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