Cheaper fuel early Christmas gift for commuters

More than half the states in the country now have gas prices below $3 a gallon. Located mainly in the center and southeast of the nation, these help contribute to a national average for regular fuel of just $3.05 a gallon.

Missouri’s average regular fuel price stands substantially below that at $2.69 per gallon. Diesel prices, on average, remain higher, at $3.17 per gallon in Missouri and $3.54 a gallon nationally.

As in previous weeks, the cheapest gasoline may be found in Oklahoma, with average regular fuel prices of $2.47 a gallon. Hawaii maintains the most expensive such prices at $4.57 per gallon.

County averages Monday (per AAA)

• Bollinger: $2.73;

• Cape Girardeau: $2.75;

• Perry: $2.69;

• Scott: $2.86.

Price ranges Monday (per GasBuddy)

• Cape Girardeau: $2.69 to $2.79;

• Jackson: $2.53 to $2.64;

• Perryville: $2.64 to $2.82;

• Scott City: $2.73 to $2.79.

Do you want more business news? Check out B Magazine, and the B Magazine email newsletter. Go to www.semissourian.com/newsletters to find out more.