WICHITA – Kansas motorists continue to see more expensive prices at the gas pumps. The Sunflower State’s 6-cent increase in the past week was the fifth largest jump in the nation, and Kansas gas prices have risen 30 cents in the past month. 

Whereas Kansas usually enjoys gas prices among the top 10 cheapest in the nation, this week’s average price registers 13^th cheapest, still 18 cents less than the national average of $2.43.

“Pump prices rose steadily in Kansas and across the country in February, a month that saw a number of refineries undergoing planned and unplanned maintenance, and an increase in crude oil prices,” said AAA Kansas spokesman Shawn Steward. ““Gas prices have been pushed higher this week due to reduced gasoline stock levels and increased demand. Motorists can expect gas prices to continue to increase as refineries gear up for spring gasoline production and maintenance season.”

Of the 10 Kansas cities regularly highlighted by AAA Kansas (see chart below), eight experienced price increases at the pump. The largest price jumps were seen in Pittsburg (+12 cents), Kansas City, Kan. (+10) and Wichita (+10). Hays (-3) and Salina (-4) gas prices fell from one week ago.

According to AAA Kansas, this week’s Kansas gas price extremes are:

HIGH: Kensington (Smith County) – $2.51

LOW: Mullinville (Kiowa County) – $2.10

The national gas price average has increased nearly 20-cents since the beginning of the year, which is the largest jump during the January-February timeframe since 2015.

Today’s national average is $2.42, which is three-cents more expensive than last week, is 17-cents more expensive than a month ago, but 10-cents cheaper than a year ago.

The nation’s top 10 largest weekly increases are: Florida (+13 cents), Alabama (+11 cents), Mississippi (+8 cents), Louisiana (+8 cents), Kansas (+6 cents), South Dakota (+6 cents), Texas (+5 cents), North Dakota (+5 cents), Colorado (+5 cents) and Michigan (+5 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are: Missouri ($2.17), Arkansas ($2.17), Utah ($2.18), Mississippi ($2.19), South Carolina ($2.19), Texas ($2.19), Virginia ($2.20), Colorado ($2.20), Louisiana ($2.21) and Tennessee ($2.22). (Kansas is 13^thcheapest this week.)

Today’s national gas price extremes:

High: California and Hawaii – $3.30

Low: Missouri – $2.17