Gas prices creeping up along with temps, says AAA Kansas

Along with the summer temperatures, gas prices have started to rise a bit.

“Today’s Kansas gas price average is $2.50 a gallon, which is up 2 cents from a week ago,” said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. “For perspective, one month ago, we were at $2.57 a gallon and a year ago at this time, the average in Kansas was $2.67.”

Though Kansas is 11th cheapest right now, there is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to supply and demand.

“U.S.-China trade negotiations are still going on,” said Steward. “If those don’t go well, or we don’t seem closer to a deal, that could actually lower prices. Then, we also have the tensions between the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East. As those increase, there could be concerns about supply from the Middle East, which could send prices upward.”

Summertime prices tend to drift up, anyway.

“Nationally, prices are headed up, as well,” said Steward. “We’re up 2 cents a gallon on the national level. That is primarily due to rising gasoline demand. We’ve also seen 13 states this month introducing new gas taxes.”

It’s too early to tell if that taxation will have any effect on long-term demand either way.