Despite gasoline demand dropping and inventories growing, according to the latest Energy Information Administration data, the national gas price average has increased three cents this past week to $2.88– a price not seen as the national average since mid-July.
AAA South Dakota spokesperson Marilyn Buskohl says motorists are accustomed to seeing prices drop steadily this time of year, but due to continued global supply and demand concerns as well as expensive summertime crude oil prices, motorists are not seeing relief at the pump. She says today’s national gas price average of $2.88 is the most expensive for the beginning of October since 2014. The average is four cents more than a month ago and 32 cents more than a year ago.
South Dakota’s average gas price is $2.90– five cents more than a week ago, six cents more than a month ago and 42 cents more than a year ago.
The nation’s least expensive gas is found in Mississippi and Alabama ($2.57), South Carolina ($2.58) and Louisiana ($2.59).
(Dakota Radio News)