GASOLINE PRICES UP 10 CENTS PER GALLON

Gasoline prices are up more than a dime a gallon from last summer, reaching their highest levels since the Persian Gulf War in 1991.

But there is good news on the horizon. Gas prices might soon decrease.

The recent price increases are the biggest since 1990, when a 23-cent jump was recorded a month after Kuwait was invaded.

"In Missouri, pump prices are up about 11 cents a gallon over a year ago," said Michael Right, a spokesman for AAA Auto Club of Missouri in St. Louis, which keeps tabs on gasoline prices throughout the state and nationally. But the prices Tuesday were down from those of last weekend.

"St. Louis prices dropped about 2 cents," Right said. "They could drop more within the next week "

Prices in Missouri are below most states.

"Only one state -- Georgia -- has lower prices," Right said.

Three weeks ago, motorists in Cape Girardeau could fill their tanks with unleaded regular for less than $1 a gallon.

Today, the prices for the same fuel ranges from $1.08 to $1.09 at the majority of the city's service stations. A check of 15 stations Friday revealed four with self-serve prices at $1.08.9 a gallon and eight at $1.09.

The lowest rate was 99.9 cents, if you want to get your vehicle washed.

St. Louis area prices average 1.10.9 and Kansas City prices are up to about $1.11.9 per gallon.

That's still cheap compared to some other states. The average cost of regular unleaded, self-serve, nationally, is $1.23.9, up 11 cents from the price this time a year ago.

The biggest one-day gain of the year came April 19 when all major stations received steep increases. Price hikes of 3 to 5 cents were recorded at a number of stations, including Conoco, Citgo, Exxon, BP, Shell, Amoco, Mobil and Texaco stations.

Until mid-April, average Missouri prices were under $1 a gallon. In March, per-gallon prices averaged about 90.8 cents per gallon, down more than 20 cents a gallon from this month's $1.11.9 state average.

Basic economics has driven up the price of gasoline.

Demand is higher because of warmer weather during an early spring and gasoline inventories are low, partly because suppliers are required by anti-pollution laws to provide storage for different grades of gasoline.

Summer officially started this month, which kicked in the heavy vacation driving season.

And with the July 4 holiday weekend coming up, gasoline prices could take another leap over the weekend before dropping.

A record 29 million Americans are expected to travel 100 miles or more from home this July 4 weekend, which stretches into four days for some people.