Unfortunately, for motorists, it is a rite of spring – gas prices climbing in advance of the summer driving season.
Average retail gasoline prices in Kansas have risen 8.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.41 Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,329 gas outlets in Kansas. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.47.
Including the change in gas prices in Kansas during the past week, prices yesterday were 17.3 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 27.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 18.5 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 19.1 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.
In Great Bend, the price came in at $3.35. The price is $3.39 at Lyons, $3.35-$3.44 at Russell, $3.35 at Pratt and $3.28-$3.78 at Hays.
The state lows were recorded at Topeka with $2.94 and Emporia at $2.95. The highs were at Hays, Oakley with $3.75 and at Colby with $3.68.
“Unsurprisingly, the surge in the national average has continued over the last week,” said GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan. “As refinery maintenance season is now in its prime, and will be for several weeks, motorists could see additional volatility at the pump should issues or unexpected problems arise with this period of maintenance.”
There tend to be glitches and issues restarting these plants, and the progressive switchover to various blends of gasoline complicates matters further, he said. Then, as refineries get back online, the volatility will ebb, and prices will slow their climb – but all of that light at the end of the tunnel remains several weeks away.
“We are entering the worst time of year for visiting the gas station,” AAA analyst Avery Ash said in his outlook for March gas prices.
The reason has nothing to do with price gouging, increased demand or geopolitical instability in places like Ukraine – though that certainly won’t help.
“Gas prices typically rise this time of year because many refineries cut production to conduct seasonal maintenance, which can limit gasoline supplies and cause market uncertainty,” AAA said.
 “This maintenance generally takes place between strong demand periods for heating oil in the winter and gasoline in the summer.”