You know I like to talk gasoline prices. If you’re not into gas prices and such, turn your channel for a bit. This week, we’ll attack the topic with a quick summary of where prices are now and then add a fun twist–we’ll tell you which day(s) of the week are the best to fill up your tank, from a price point of view.
First, the boys and girls at GasBuddy.com tell us gasoline prices in the Kansas City region have remained steady in the past week, averaging $3.14 per gallon as of Monday. By the way, the $3.14 seems to be the most common price in Platte City, close to Landmark headquarters.
Prices in Kansas City are 17 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 84 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. According to GasBuddy price experts, the cheapest station in KC was priced at $2.94 on Sunday while the most expensive was at $3.39 per gallon. The lowest price in the state on Sunday was $2.85 while the highest was $3.79. Ouch.
Meanwhile, the national average price of gasoline has gone up by 4.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.47 as of Monday. The national average is up 16.5 cents in the past month and is 97 cents higher than a year ago.
Why has the jump in gas prices continued? Let’s let a GasBuddy expert to chime in here. You won’t be surprised at part of his answer, as it involves the alleged situation in Ukraine. Prepare to be angered and/or depressed.
“The jump has continued unabated as oil prices continue to push higher, reaching $94 per barrel last week on continued concern over the possible imminent threat that Russia may invade Ukraine,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Not only are oil prices up but the bulk of the nation is starting the multi-month transition to summer gasoline, further adding to the rise at the pump. In addition, cold weather in Texas last week caused some power outages at major refineries, further weighing on markets. I see no other potentials in the short term but additional price increases unless Russia does an about-face on Ukraine. Until then, we’ll see seasonality push pries up, so motorists should be ready to dig deeper.”
Kind of a fun and maybe helpful bit of information here about gasoline prices. What’s the best day of the week to gas up your car–in other words, which day of the week are gas prices generally the cheapest? On the other end of the spectrum, which day of the week is the worst–as in, which day of the week are gas prices typically highest?
I wrote about this several years ago but the science has now changed a bit, apparently.
Be thinking of your answer in your mind: What is the day of the week when gas prices are generally the highest?
Now think of your answer to: What day of the week are gas prices generally the lowest?
Now read on to find out.
In 2021, the most expensive day of the week to fill up your tank in Missouri was Thursday.
In 2021, the best day of the week for getting the lowest price on gasoline in Missouri was Monday.
So I guess we should slow the hate for Mondays.
“When it comes to saving money at the pump, Monday becomes more than the dreaded end of the weekend. GasBuddy analyzed gas price data and found that the first day of the work week offers the lowest average gas price in 17 states (including Missouri),” said Patrick De Haan, analyst for GasBuddy. Following Monday, the next cheapest day to fill up is Sunday, the study shows.
So there you have it. Get gas on Mondays. Not Thursdays.
“But even if you can’t always time your fill ups, the golden rule is to always shop around before filling up,” De Haan advises.
Last week I watched Nan Johnston testify at her ethics commission hearing. It was like a community theatre production of Pinocchio.
A couple of little new things we’ve got goin’ on here at your ol’ Landmark.
1. In The Landmark masthead on our front page, you’ll notice a QR code. Many folks know what a QR code is but some do not, so here is a quick explanation. QR is short for quick response code. It’s a barcode that is readable with your cell phone camera or with a QR reader app on your phone. Try it now. Open your cell phone camera and focus it on the QR code in our masthead. It will then bring up a prompt you can tap that will take you to our website at plattecountylandmark.com. Once there, you’ll be able to check our site for any breaking news between print editions and check out the many fine advertisers on the site. We can thank office manager Cindy Rinehart for the nifty idea to get that QR code in our print edition each week. I like it.
2. A Landmark Word Search feature debuts this week on page 8. Check it out. It’s a simple and fun little deal where you search for words/names that appeared in the previous edition of The Landmark. Do it yourself or get the kids involved if you’d like. We thank office manager Cindy Rinehart for putting together this nifty deal (by the way, we’ll soon celebrate Cindy’s 30th year at The Landmark–who knew she started when she was age 10?)
3. The Landmark is now bilingual. Our website at plattecountylandmark.com is now available in Spanish, as well as English of course. That’s right. You can now get our website in Spanish if you so choose. On the upper right of our home page, hit the “Spanish” prompt and all stories will appear in Spanish right before your very eyes. Check it out. To go back to English, just hit the English prompt on the upper right. This idea and project is the work of our skilled Tech Man Schneider.
(Got a fun or informative suggestion for your newspaper experience? Send that thought of yours to Foley at ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)