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TOPEKA, Kan. – Dec. 11, 2017 – Kansas gas prices tied the second largest weekly decline in the country (See included infographic), falling another four cents per gallon to a statewide average of $2.28. Kansas gas prices have fallen 13 cents in the past month, and the state currently has the 11th lowest gasoline prices in the nation.
“Kansas motorists are now enjoying our typical downward gas price trend as we approach the end-of-year holiday driving season,” said Jennifer Haugh, AAA Kansas spokeswoman. “Factors such as favorable gas supply, declining demand and the integration of less expensive winter blend gasolines are playing a role in these lower prices at the pumps.”
Of the 10 Kansas cities regularly highlighted by AAA Kansas (see chart below), all saw gas price declines this week, with the largest drops being Hays (-12 cents), Garden City (-9), and Emporia, Kansas City, Kan. and Wichita (all at -5).
According to AAA Kansas, this week’s Kansas gas price extremes are at the extreme northwest and southeast corners of the state:
HIGH: St. Francis (Cheyenne County) – $2.75
LOW: Baxter Springs (Cherokee County) – $2.13
National Perspective
The national average price for a gallon of gasoline dropped two cents on the week to $2.46. East Coast and Midwest states are seeing the largest drops in gas prices – as much as six cents – in the last week. While a small number of states, who historically experience ongoing volatility, are seeing increases: Indiana (+11 cents), Michigan (+8 cents), Ohio (+4 cents), Hawaii (+1 cent) and Illinois (+1 cent). Drivers can expect pump prices to continue to drop heading into the holiday season as supply strengthens and fall gasoline demand weakens.
“Nationally, gas prices are 10 cents cheaper on the month and will continue to drop as we count down the days to the holidays,” said AAA Kansas’ Haugh. “AAA expects gasoline demand to weaken throughout the winter, which translates to better prices at the pump.”
Consumer gasoline demand is registering under 9 million b/d for the second consecutive week, while gasoline inventories increased by nearly 7 million bbl, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Great Lakes and Central States Report
Gas prices in the region range from $2.22 (Missouri) to $2.51 (Michigan). In many states, drivers are paying as much as five cents less at the pump compared to last Monday, except for those filling up in Indiana (+11 cents), Michigan (+8 cents) and Ohio (+4 cents).
Of note, last Monday Kentucky was the only state in the region to see pump prices jump. Today, gas prices have decreased six cents, which is the largest decrease of any state in the country on the week.
Adding 1.6 million bbl, the region’s gasoline inventories register at 47.2 million bbl. This is the largest inventory total for the Great Lakes and Central states since mid-October, yet two million bbl below this time last year.
Gas Price Trends in Select Kansas Cities
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Today
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Last Week
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Last Month
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Last
Year
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Change Over Last Year
|
|
National
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$2.46
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$2.48
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$2.56
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$2.21
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11%
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|
Kansas
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$2.28
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$2.32
|
$2.41
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$2.03
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12%
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Emporia
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$2.24
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$2.29
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$2.40
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$1.99
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13%
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Garden City
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$2.29
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$2.38
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$2.47
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$1.98
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16%
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Hays
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$2.27
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$2.39
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$2.44
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$2.04
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11%
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KCK
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$2.25
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$2.30
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$2.44
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$2.06
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9%
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Lawrence
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$2.31
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$2.34
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$2.46
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$2.10
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10%
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Manhattan
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$2.41
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$2.45
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$2.47
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$1.99
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21%
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Pittsburg
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$2.25
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$2.28
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$2.34
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$1.98
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14%
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Salina
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$2.20
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$2.22
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$2.34
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$1.94
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13%
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Topeka
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$2.31
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$2.33
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$2.38
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$2.00
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16%
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Wichita
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$2.21
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$2.26
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$2.34
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$2.04
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8%
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Bordering states and rank in lowest gas prices around the country
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State
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Current Avg.
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Rank Today
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Last Week
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Oklahoma
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$2.20
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1
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3
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Missouri
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$2.23
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7
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4
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Kansas
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$2.28
|
11
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12
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Colorado
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$2.49
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30
|
33
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Nebraska
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$2.45
|
23
|
26
|
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