Aug 01, 2020

Gas prices softening slightly, but uncertainty remains

Posted Aug 01, 2020 11:35 AM

By NICK GOSNELL

Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Gas prices are headed down at a national level, and also in Kansas.

"The national average fell one cent to $2.18," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "The Kansas average gas price is $1.97, which is also a penny cheaper than a week ago. Nationally, this is the first time since late April that the national gas price average has declined."

Reno County and Hutchinson are still below $2, as well.

Reno County, we're at $1.96," Steward said. "In Hutchinson, it's a little bit higher at $1.98, $1.99 depending on the station that you visit."

There are also isolated stations below both of those numbers, and Steward thinks prices may be headed down.

"With COVID-19 cases on the rise again and potentially some travel quarantines being put in again, we could be seeing a downward trend based on people's comfort level with traveling," Steward said.

Also, with uncertainty about school calendars, it's possible any proposed during school vacation plans are being held off until those schedules solidify and so it's tough to know if demand might stay stronger longer where school starts later or if it will back off.