Gas Prices Continue to Rise

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While Missouri’s average gas prices remain about 20 cents below the national average, they are steadily rising. Gas prices are rising nationally with the national average at $2.79 per gallon and the average price at the pump has climbed 72 cents since Nov. 20.

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GasBuddy, a national fuel tracking tech company, is warning drivers to prepare for $3 a gallon. This in part is due to the increased demand for gas as more people head on the roadways. The higher prices are also the lingering impacts of refinery shutdowns in Texas because of the winter weather and extreme cold in February.

In Kearney, area gas prices are averaging around $2.57 per gallon and steadily climbing.

Although it is impossible to completely avoid the rising gas prices, there are some things you can do to make sure you are getting the best prices possible.

  1. Use a gas app which will show you where the lowest prices in town are. For example, in one side of town the gas price may be $2.69 per gallon while not far down the street the gas price could be $2.51 per gallon. For a 12 gallon tank, you would be saving over two dollars filling up. If you fill up four times a month, this saves you over $100 dollars a year in gas.

  2. Choose a credit card or debit card with rewards. Many cards offer cash back or rewards of purchases. Some gas stations have special cards which gives you added savings.

  3. Buy from a warehouse membership program. Sam’s Club, Costco, and Walmart sometimes have their own gas stations which give special prices to their customers.

  4. Check you are buying the right gas for your car. If your car does not require specialty gas, like premium or diesel, do not but it. Buy instead the lower grade gas, regular, which will add onto your savings.

  5. Pay cash for your gas. Some gash stations offer cheaper prices when using cash instead of a credit card. A debit card as opposed to a credit card may also give you a discount.

  6. Fill your car up before a spike. Natural disasters and severe weather often lead to a surge in gas prices.

KPGZ News - Jim Dickerson contributed to this story