Rising prices at the pump greet DeSoto County drivers

Gas prices in DeSoto County have been inching up in recent weeks, according to the latest prices from the American Automobile Association (AAA).  

On Sunday, AAA reported the average regular unleaded pump price for the Southaven-Olive Branch metro vicinity was $3.081, an increase of 4.3 cents a gallon from the previous week.

One month ago, the average price was $2.851 a gallon and a year ago, the average was $2.982 a gallon.  

In Mississippi, AAA says the average pump price is $3.091 a gallon, which is 5.7 cents above a week ago and more than the $2.855 average pump price one month ago. On this date one year ago, the average price was $2.993.  

Much of the price increases were expected because of the time of year.  

“Gas prices are a lot like seasonal temperatures, they start to rise with the arrival of spring,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “And the national average for gas is now higher than a year ago, which we have not seen since late December.”   

On Sunday, the lowest pump price in DeSoto County was reported from the Horn Lake Walmart at $2.87 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.com. 

“Most Americans continued to see average gasoline prices march higher last week. The reason is the season: gasoline demand is rising as more Americans are getting out, combined with the summer gasoline switchover, which is well underway, and continued refinery maintenance,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “The madness should slow down in the next few weeks as we’ve seen positive data that refinery output is starting to increase, a sign that the peak of the maintenance season could be behind us.”

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