Kansas weekly gas price increase among nation’s largest, but state still enjoys 11th least expensive gas in America

May 30, 2017 – As the busy summer driving season kicked off with last weekend’s Memorial Day holiday, Kansas experienced the 7^th largest increase in gas prices in the United States over the past week, with average pump prices rising 4 cents to $2.21 per gallon (See attached graphic). However, Kansas drivers are still experiencing the 11^th lowest gas prices in the nation.

Despite the average gas price increase over the past week in Kansas, many of the regularly reported cities in the state (See chart below) are enjoying lower gas prices than a month ago, the exceptions being Manhattan and Wichita. All are showing prices that are flat or showing only single digit percentage increases from this time a year ago.

This week’s Kansas cities with the state’s gas price extremes are:

HIGH: Wilson – $2.50

LOW: Galena – $2.00

National Summary

Today’s national average is $2.37 – one cent more than a week ago, two cents more than a month ago and five cents more than a year ago. Rising gasoline demand has resulted in dropping gasoline inventories across the country, according to the latest Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) report. Last week, U.S. demand for gasoline jumped 252,000 b/d to 9.7 million b/d, the highest level this year, while gasoline inventories dropped by 800,000 barrels (bbl). If the trend continues, consumers can expect to see summer gasoline prices potentially return to the high prices seen in April, when the national average for a gallon of gasoline was $2.42.

Great Lakes and Central States Region Summary

The region continues to see the most volatility of any market in the country. Prices dropped by as much as seven cents in some states while increasing by four cents in others. Despite seeing increases ahead of Memorial Day weekend, Ohio (-7 cents), Indiana (-6 cents), Michigan (-6 cents) and Kentucky (-3 cents) are all posting cheaper gas prices than a week ago, while Missouri (+5 cents), Kansas (+4 cents), Iowa (+4 cents), Wisconsin (+4 cents), Minnesota (+3 cents) and Nebraska (+2 cents) all saw prices increase on the week.

Gas Price Trends in Select Kansas Cities

	Today	Last Week	Last Month	Last Year	Change Over Last Year
National	$2.37	$2.36	$2.39	$2.32	2%
Kansas	$2.21	$2.17	$2.23	$2.16	2%
Emporia	$2.16	$2.16	$2.20	$2.11	2%
Garden City	$2.11	$2.16	$2.27	$2.11	0%
Hays	$2.21	$2.25	$2.32	$2.14	3%
KCK	$2.24	$2.17	$2.27	$2.24	0%
Lawrence	$2.27	$2.16	$2.30	$2.26	0%
Manhattan	$2.18	$2.22	$2.14	$2.17	0%
Pittsburg	$2.11	$2.11	$2.15	$2.09	1%
Salina	$2.19	$2.17	$2.21	$2.10	4%
Topeka	$2.16	$2.17	$2.26	$2.09	3%
Wichita	$2.23	$2.13	$2.21	$2.16	3%

Bordering states and rank in lowest gas prices around the country

State	Current Avg.	Rank Today	Last Week
Oklahoma	$2.12	5	6
Missouri	$2.15	8	7
Kansas	$2.21	11	10
Colorado	$2.37	21	24
Nebraska	$2.31	23	16

Motorists can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 56 million members nationwide and 331,566 members in Kansas. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit www.aaa.com.