Local, national gas pump prices continue to climb

Gas prices this past week are continuing their increase, now at an eight-month high.

Nationally on Sunday, the American Automobile Association (AAA) reported the average price of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.752, while the average price at the pump in Mississippi was $3.249. That is lower than the average pump price in DeSoto County of $3.268.  

Stone County is where the cheapest gas in Mississippi is located, averaging $3.14 a gallon. Rankin and Simpson counties in the Jackson area are among some of the state counties where pump prices are averaging about $3.18 a gallon.  

Sharkey County is where the most expensive gas in Mississippi is located, averaging $3.499 a gallon, followed by Tunica County at $3.485. 

Tate County pumps are averaging $3.256 a gallon and in Marshall County, the average price is $3.329. 

The state average of $3.249 a gallon on Sunday is just over a penny a gallon higher than Saturday and nearly 18.5 cents more than just one week before.  One month ago, the state average was $2.973 and one year ago, the average price was $3.803 a gallon. 

Mississippi still leads the nation with the lowest average gas prices in the country, followed by Alabama ($3.350), Louisiana ($3.351), Tennessee ($3.388), and Arkansas ($3.399). 

California has returned to being the state with the most expensive gasoline at an average of $4.989, followed by Washington at $4.950. 

Metropolitan areas in Mississippi include Southaven-Olive Branch ($3.297), Jackson ($3.202), Hattiesburg ($3.207), and Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula ($3.254).

Experts said problems at refineries and low levels of stored gas meant prices are surging worldwide, according to Bloomberg. OPEC nations may cut production in August, which may jack pump prices even more.  

You may view the lowest gas prices in DeSoto County as reported on the Gasbuddy website.