Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Kimball Gas Prices Inching Up

Average gas prices in Kimball have risen to $2.21 per gallon, according to a Western Nebraska Observer survey Monday. Kimball prices have inched up incrementally in recent weeks.

That compares to Nebraska’s average of $2.37 and the national average of $2.43, according to GasBuddy statistics released Monday.

Nebraska gas prices have risen 3.5 cents oday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,150 stations. Gas prices in Nebraska are 21.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago, yet stand 15.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

The cheapest station in Nebraska was at $2.12 and the most expensive at $2.62. The lowest price in the country was at $1.86 and the most expensive at $4.99.

The national average rose 2.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.43. The national average is up 15.6 cents per gallon from a month ago, yet stands 9.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

In the region, average gas prices are at $2.45 in Lincoln, $2.37 in Omaha and $2.27 In South Dakota.

“Gas prices continued to heat up across much of the country over the last week as every area of the country has now started the first step in transitioning to summer gasoline at the same time refiners continue maintenance,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

“Since gas prices bottomed out nearly two months ago, average gas prices are up 20 cents. We may see another 20 cent hike or so over the next two months, or perhaps greater if there are any refinery kinks that arise. We’ll still be in good shape for summer gas prices to be under their year ago levels, so all is not lost.”