As many Sedalians head to the lake for the Fourth of July weekend, motorists will notice surprisingly low summer gas prices.
As of Thursday afternoon, the average price of gas in Sedalia was $1.90 per gallon, much lower than the national average of $2.24 per gallon, according to AAA. According to a GasBuddy news release, this marks the lowest Independence Day gas prices since 2005. The release states the 10-year average is $3.14 per gallon.
“It’s thrilling to see gas prices falling just in time for the most-traveled summer holiday. Perhaps we can finally get rid of the myth that gas prices go up for the holiday,” Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst, said in the release. “Most importantly, motorists are getting a well-deserved break at the pump after years of high summer gas prices. This is like Christmas in July, instead of seeing fireworks at the pumps like we saw just a few short years ago.”
According to its website, AAA is predicting 37.5 million Americans will drive to their Fourth of July holiday destination, which potentially can mean a small increase in holiday weekend gas prices.
“Record refinery rates, high gasoline and crude inventory, and less-than-favorable demand this year are among the contributing factors causing the downward price trend,” the website states.
GasBuddy notes that the gas price variance will be at historic highs, with the spread between the nation’s lowest and highest priced gas stations at $1.29 per gallon, as of Tuesday.
On a happier note, the release also states that for the first time in GasBuddy’s 17-year history, the national average gas price is poised to be lower July 4 than it was New Year’s Day. It is expected to be 12 cents lower, while it is usually about 47 cents higher.
As of Monday, AAA had Missouri ranked as the fifth cheapest state for gas at an average of $2.01.
