Motorists are still reaping the benefits of lower crude oil prices that started edging gasoline prices down locally during the final two months of 1993.

Prices of gasoline dropped about a dime a gallon at the pumps since October. The present price of regular unleaded is 89.9 cents a gallon in Cape Girardeau.

"We don't really expect to see any noticeable increases over the next month," said Bob Blank of Bi-State Oil in Cape Girardeau. "The prices are based on supply and demand; when farmers get back in the fields in late February or early March, the demand will go up and the prices may follow."

At 89.9 cents, Cape Girardeau prices were still well above those in some areas of the state. At St. Louis motorists have had the luxury of 79.9-cents-a-gallon fuel at select stations.

"But they're going back up now in St. Louis," said Michael J. Right, a spokesman for the AAA Auto Club of Missouri in St. Louis. "Prices have increased from a low of 79.9 cents per gallon Friday morning to 84.9 Monday."

Only one station in Cape Girardeau lowered its pump prices to 79.9 for regular unleaded. Service Four Gas & Car Wash, 205 S. Kingshighway, is selling fuel at 79.9 per gallon but with the purchase of a car wash.

"At 89.9 cents per gallon motorists are getting a bargain at Cape Girardeau," said Right. "The national average for regular unleaded gasoline is $1.09.9."

Blank agreed.

"I think the oil companies have done a good job restraining themselves," said Blank. "Even with a lower price on crude, the oil companies could have maintained their prices of last fall."

When the new Bi-State facility opened on North Kingshighway prices on the pumps were 92.9

"That was four and a half years ago," said Blank. "Today, motorists are paying 3 cents a gallon less."

That 3 cents per gallon is only part of the story.

"During those four years we have had a 9-cent a gallon increase in taxes," said Blank. "Figure that all up and consumers are paying a total of 12 cents a gallon less for gasoline now than four years ago. That's a savings of more than 10 percent."

Right said prices started dropping in the metropolitan areas -- Kansas City and St. Louis -- last October.

"From Nov. 27 to last weekend prices have been on a steady decline," he said. "But starting last Friday the prices started moving up."

Prices fluctuate frequently in the St. Louis area, said Right.

"The St. Louis gas market is highly competitive," said Right, who monitors state and national gas prices for AAA. "The metropolitan area has all of the major brands and a number of independents."

In recent years a number of independents have associated themselves with convenience stores.

"With so many new players seeking market shares, the only way to beat other people is by price," said Right.