Gas prices in Kansas are averaging $2.60/gallon following a 5.5 cent hike over the past week, according to survey figures from GasBuddy.com. GasBuddy’s survey of 1,329 stations across Kansas reflects a 36 cent increase per gallon from February and a 45.1 cent increase per gallon from a year ago.
In Barton County and neighboring Pawnee, Stafford, Ellsworth and Russell counties, the average price rose 4 cents from last week at $2.59 for a gallon of regular unleaded. Rice County is averaging a penny cheaper at $2.58.
Other Kansas areas and their current gas prices:
Wichita- $2.59/g, unchanged from last week’s $2.58/g.
Topeka- $2.59/g, up 3.2 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.56/g.
GasBuddy reports the cheapest gas in Kansas is priced at $2.37/gallon while the most expensive is $3.04/gallon, a difference of 67.0 cents per gallon.
Nationally, the average price of gasoline has risen 3.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.77/gallon. The national average is up 29.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 41.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
Historical gasoline prices in Kansas and the national average going back ten years:
March 8, 2020: $2.14/g (U.S. Average: $2.36/g)
March 8, 2019: $2.25/g (U.S. Average: $2.47/g)
March 8, 2018: $2.37/g (U.S. Average: $2.53/g)
March 8, 2017: $2.18/g (U.S. Average: $2.30/g)
March 8, 2016: $1.76/g (U.S. Average: $1.81/g)
March 8, 2015: $2.34/g (U.S. Average: $2.46/g)
March 8, 2014: $3.42/g (U.S. Average: $3.49/g)
March 8, 2013: $3.61/g (U.S. Average: $3.71/g)
March 8, 2012: $3.60/g (U.S. Average: $3.76/g)
March 8, 2011: $3.41/g (U.S. Average: $3.52/g)
“OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) surprised oil markets last week by extending oil production cuts for another month, despite the resurgence in global demand as economies recover from COVID-19,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. De Haan said markets responded by pushing oil prices up 12%. “As a result, motorists should prepare for further gas price increases in the weeks and potentially months ahead.” He added that a $3 per gallon national average is potentially less than a month away.
“At the start of this year, it was somewhat outlandish to predict a $3 per gallon national average for the summer driving season,” said De Haan. “But thanks to the speed of recovery from the pandemic pushing demand higher and OPEC’s reluctance to raise oil production, we’re on the cusp of making that a reality.”
