26-03-2025
Local drivers see notable rise in gas prices
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Drivers in Springfield are noticing a jump in gas prices this week, with some gas stations leaping to 40 cents higher than others.
Missouri State University Professor of Economics Dr. David Mitchell says that a price jump this time of year is typical because refineries are switching to a different blend of gasoline.
'Summer blends are a whole lot more expensive than the winter blends. And so it's when the refineries switch over from one through the summer you can see this large increase in gas prices,' says Mitchell.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, these summer blends of gasoline help limit evaporation.
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'Prices start kicking up again for the summer driving season, then kind of back down again after Labor Day,' says Mitchell.
One Springfield driver says she drives about an hour every day, and she's noticed the change at the pump.
'A few days ago it was like $2.60, and now it's like $2.99. So, it definitely jumped up pretty high,' says Sapphire Eaton.
The average cost of a gallon of gas in Springfield is just over $2.80, according to AAA. Just yesterday, the average was over $2.60.
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Lauren Hughes says she hadn't noticed the price change, but not that she knows it will affect how she handles her gas money.
'I'll definitely be budgeting now that I'm more aware of what's going on with gas prices for sure,' says Hughes.
While a price jump is typical for this time of year, Mitchell says this a slightly more than he's seen in the past, and this could be because of the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
'Companies might be kicking on an extra nickel just because people expect prices to go up because of the tariffs,' says Mitchell.
To find the best gas prices in Springfield, you can use the Ozarks First Gas Price Tracker.
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