Average retail gasoline prices in Kansas have fallen 5.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.13 Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,329 gas outlets in Kansas. This compares with the national average that has fallen 1.1 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.18.
The lowest price in the state for regular unleaded this week was found at Galena ($1.939), and the highest posted price was at Onaga ($2.649).
In Great Bend, the price has fallen recently from $2.19 to $2,13. Around the area, the price was $2.13 at Larned, $2.19 at Lyons and $2.09 at Russell.
Including the change in gas prices in Kansas during the past week, prices earlier this week were 80.7 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 3.4 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 10.9 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 79.0 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.
“The gas price slide across much of the nation has continued for the third straight week,” said Will Speer, GasBuddy’s senior petroleum analyst for the Midcontinent and Southwest. “Planned fall refinery maintenance had put the Midwest in the spotlight as the region hardest hit with refinery rate reductions, but as we reach November, refinery maintenance projects are beginning to wrap up as evident in EIA’s weekly report, which saw refinery utilization rates improve.”
Improving refinery rates paired with WTI-crude trading steadily around the $46 per barrel range will keep downward pressure on gas prices through November, Speer said.
According to the American Automobile Association, for the Kansas metro areas, Topeka continues to hold the low spot with an average of $2.04. That’s nearly two cents below where it was a week ago and almost eight cents lower than this day a month ago.
However, many stations in Topeka are posting gasoline sold at under $2, the AAA noted. Topeka motorists are paying almost 85 cents less today than they were a year ago for unleaded regular, or 29 percent less.
For the first time in recent memory, Kansas City, Kan., and Lawrence have the second and third lowest metro prices today, at almost $2.10 and $2.11. Lawrence prices have moved significantly this week, posting an average today that is nearly 12 cents lower than a week ago, 10 cents lower than a month ago, and now 85 cents lower than a year ago, or 29 percent.
Wichita prices improved as well this week, down nearly two cents, and down over a penny from a month ago and 76 cents lower than a year ago, or 26 percent.
