MISSOURI GAS PRICES AMONG BEST IN NATION

Missouri motorists visiting other states will probably appreciate gasoline prices back home.

"Missouri motorists are getting a bargain right now,," says Michael J. Right, a spokesman for the AAA Auto Club of Missouri. "The state's average price for self-service regular unleaded fuel is 90.9 cents a gallon."

Prices have fallen to their lowest level in five years in some areas, including St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas, noted Right, a public affairs officer based in St. Louis.

"The average self-service price for regular unleaded gasoline in the St. Louis area Tuesday was 84.9," said Right. "And at some stations, the pump price was under 80 cents."

"The prices are down as much as 10 cents a gallon under prices this time a year ago," adds Paul Dirnberger, managing officer for Rhodes Oil Co., headquartered in Cape Girardeau.

Dirnberger says a number of factors have resulted in the decreases -- a glut of crude oil and gasoline and lower wholesale prices combined with a seasonal decline in consumer demand."

"When wholesale prices drop, the pump prices drop," said Dirnberger, who added that he expected the lower prices to go through the new year."

The range of prices -- from 78.9 in the St. Louis area to 93.9 in Southeast Missouri -- is understandable, notes Dirnberger.

"Gasoline prices fluctuate in different areas," said Dirnberger. "They are so competitive in the St. Louis area. Even though our immediate area price for regular unleaded is 93.9, we're selling gasoline in our Perryville station for 89.9 a gallon."

"The St. Louis and Kansas City prices are the best in the nation," said Right. The national average for regular unleaded is $1.09 per gallon.

That figure is also the average in Illinois.

"Motorists traveling in Illinois have to pay as much as a quarter more per gallon in some areas for gasoline," said Right.

"The average in Illinois is $1.09 per gallon," said Right. "But, In some places there the prices are much higher."

Gas prices have been declining since the first week of October, noted Right, who keeps up with fuel prices for the AAA.

"The drop in retail prices in the past month would translate to an annual savings of $34.40 for someone who drives 20 miles to work, five days a week, in a vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon," he said.

Right also expects current prices to run into the new year.

A worldwide over-supply of oil has cut the cost of a barrel to around $14.65, from $17.30 in late October, said Right.

The AAA predicts that more than 33 million Americans will travel more than 100 miles from their homes over the holidays. An estimated 27 million Americans are expected to travel by motor vehicle over Christmas.