NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
The state average for a gallon of gas is at $3.82 and Shawn Steward with AAA says Kansas says this is actually better than the rest of the country.
"We have seen in the last couple of days a little bit of slowing in terms of that rise in average price," Steward said. "Yesterday was only a cent less than today and the previous day, we only saw a two cent rise. It seems to have slowed down here the second half of this week. If there is a little bit of silver lining, Kansas today has the cheapest average gas price in the United States."
Part of the reason for that is some of the variable costs of gasoline have to do with travel distance, and Kansas has its own refining capacity in McPherson, El Dorado and Coffeyville.
"That's one of the good things about living in the center of the country," Steward said. "We're also not terribly far from the Gulf Coast where the largest amount of refining in our country takes place. Having nearby refineries certainly helps."
AAA surveyed consumers about what price would make them change their driving habits, as well.
"Over half, 59%, said they would make changes to their driving habits or lifestyle if the cost of gas rose to $4 per gallon," Steward said. "Right now, there are 41 states, plus D.C., now over $4. In that survey, respondents also said that if gas were to reach $5, which it has in the western part of the country in some places, three quarters said that they would need to adjust their lifestyles to offset that spike at the pump. In that research, of people who said they would make changes, 80% said they would drive less."
Younger folks under 35 would consider carpooling, while those older than 35 are more likely to combine trips and errands.