Motor fuel prices continue to fall as Halloween approaches despite global tensions and the uncertainty in oil markets often created by such turmoil.

The national average price for a gallon of gas fell 9 cents in the past week to $3.55 on Saturday, Oct. 21, dropping to $3.23 in Missouri.

Show Me State prices are down 6 cents in the past week and down 41 cents since 30 days ago. In late October 2022, the average price for Missouri gas was 21 cents higher at $3.43.

"While gas prices are falling about a penny a day, that feels like a glacial pace," AAA spokesman Andrew Gross said. "The oil market is watching to see if the war between Israel and Hamas widens, so the price is stuck at a rather elevated price in the mid-$80s per barrel. This, in turn, is slowing the decline in gas prices."

County averages Saturday (AAA)

• Cape Girardeau: $3.08;
• Perry: $3.17;
• Scott: $3.27.

City price ranges Saturday (GasBuddy)

• Cape Girardeau: $2.89 (cash only) to $$3.19;
• Jackson: $2.99 to $3.29;
• Perryville: $3.15 to $3.19;
• Scott City: $3.19.

Missouri diesel is going the other direction as prices have risen over the last month.

The heavier weight fuel cost $4.26 on average Saturday, up 16 cents in the past week and up 4 cents over a month's time. One year ago, diesel cost $5.04 in Missouri.

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