Early holiday gift: Local gas under $2

Holiday traveling will be a little easier on the pocketbook this year for motorists.

Gas prices continue to decline, with many stations in the Cape Girardeau area hovering a few cents above the $2 mark. But in other areas, particularly Scott County, it's not uncommon to see even lower prices.

Some Scott City stations are selling fuel for $1.99, and a number customers said they haven't seen advertised above the fuel pumps in a long time. Gas stations in Benton, Missouri, have been advertising equally low fuel prices.

Many motorists are taking advantage of the falling prices this week as they prepare for Christmastime road trips. Liane Duck of Scott City was among those fueling up in town Tuesday afternoon before her holiday travels.

"I'm putting $20 in gas because we're going to drive ... probably an hour and fifteen minutes to get there, and I expect this much to get us there and back," she said. "Usually it takes twice that amount."

A gas pump at Casey's General Store in Scott City where gas has hit $1.99 Tuesday. (Glenn Landberg)

Like Duck, Mona Horrell of Chaffee, Missouri, questions how long gas prices will continue to drop.

"I'm just filling up because right now, who knows how long its going to be like this?" she said of the low fuel prices.

Both women said it was difficult to remember the last time gas prices in the area were below $2, but they aren't the only ones surprised by the shift. Some motorists stopping at Casey's General Store in Scott City took a moment to capture cellphone photos of the convenience store's large roadway sign advertising fuel for $1.99 per gallon.

"I've heard of a few places being this cheap, but I haven't actually seen any until today," said Jason Tate of Sikeston, Missouri, who said he planned to tell his friends about his find.

While prices in Cape Girardeau may be a little higher than those in neighboring Scott City, they also have dropped. Cape Girardeau and Jackson had prices as low as $2.09 a gallon.

Lanney Hampton unloads gas from a transport truck at Casey's General Store in Scott City where gas has hit $1.99 Tuesday. (Glenn Landberg)

Overall, the average price of a gallon of gas in Missouri is $2.02, according to GasBuddy.com. The average for Illinois is $2.35, which mirrors the national average.

AAA Travel expects lower fuel prices to bring out more motorists during the holiday season. The national average price of gasoline is at the lowest level in five years, it reports, and 70 cents lower than last year. Its annual travel report said gas prices have fallen for more than 80 days in a row, helping increase Americans' disposable income by 3.5 percent compared to last year.

AAA predicts 98.6 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home from the period between Dec. 23 and Jan. 4. It's a 4 percent increase over the number of people who traveled last year. Vehicular travel also remains the preferred method of travel, with more than 90 percent of holiday travelers driving to their destinations this weekend.

Before hitting the road, AAA reminds drivers to go through routine vehicle maintenance checks. It expects to rescue more than 1 million motorists, primarily because of dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts. AAA recommends checking battery and tire conditions and ensure vehicles are prepared for winter driving before leaving home.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

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Scott City, Mo.

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Jackson, Mo.