With local gas prices hitting $3.18 this week, Great Bend joined the middle of the ranks of prices from around Kansas.
Prices around the state showed a wide margin, though Great Bend was far from the cheaper sites, especially after Wednesday’s increase.
Other prices included $3, Manhattan; $3.02, Junction City; $3.07, Manhattan; $3.08, Wellington and Hays; $3.09, Larned and Silver Lake; $3.13, Emporia; $3.14, Hays; $3.15, Salina; $3.18, Lawrence and Salina; $3.21, Dodge City; $3.26, Hutchinson; $3.35, Garden City, Ulysses and Beloit; $3.38, Ellsworth; $3.39, Cherryvale, McPherson and Belleville.
The average price in Kansas Wednesday was $3.23, up from $3.16 a week ago, and from $3.11 last month. A year ago the state average price was $3.04.
The national average on Wednesday was $3.42, up from $3.10 a year ago.
The prices are reported on Kansas Gas Prices, which is operated by Gas Buddy Organization, that was developed as a way for the public to report changes in gas prices around the nation.
The Kansas prices are available at www.kansasgasprices.com.
Some communities are listed more than once in the prices, because there are a variety of gas prices available.
According to national information, fuel prices aren’t climbing right now.
The Associated Press reported this week: “Oil prices are flat Wednesday following economic reports that showed U.S. factories are cranking into a higher gear while energy demand remains weak.
“Benchmark crude slipped 8 cents to $98.40 per barrel in New York. Brent crude rose $1.02 to $112 a barrel in London.
“Prices wavered after reports showed that energy demand remains weak in the U.S., but it could rise in the future.
“The Energy Department said oil and gasoline demand dropped last week while supplies grew. Meanwhile, a trade group reported that manufacturing activity in the U.S. rose in January at the fastest pace in seven months.”