On a statewide basis South Dakota’s pump price average has risen over the last week. Reasons for the increase are due to refinery maintenance which tightens the supply.

Drivers are paying on average about $2.40 per gallon for fuel in South Dakota. AAA South Dakota in their weekly survey of 10 cities shows Sioux Falls still at the low end with $2.28 and Pierre with the high of $2.63.

“We’re getting late word that spot prices several Midwestern states have seen dramatic price increases in spot markets of as much as 17 cents per gallon because of tighter supplies and unusually strong demand,” says Marilyn Buskohl, spokeswoman for AAA South Dakota. “Thankfully, we haven’t seen these sharp price increases in South Dakota. However, there are more than a dozen refineries in south central U.S. performing either planned or unplanned maintenance. The hope is that this will be temporary until supplies from places such as the Gulf make it our way.”

Looking ahead expect prices to gradually shift higher with a downturn coming according to Buskhol. “This autumn's refinery maintenance season is expected to be heavier than usual because refineries ran at such high rates during the summer, meeting the demand generated by low pump prices. Once this is over, prices should level off and turn lower as we approach the holidays.”

Three states report gas price averages below $2 per gallon today: New Jersey and South Carolina, both at $1.96, and Mississippi at $1.98. California has the highest statewide price average among the 48 contiguous states at $2.93, followed by Nevada at $2.89.

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