Gas prices creep up as holiday shopping season peaks

Gas prices creep up as holiday shopping season peaks

Rates still below national average in Arkansas

Senior Petroleum Analyst Average retail gasoline prices in Arkansas have risen 4.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.94/gallon yesterday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 1,826 gas outlets in Arkansas. This compares with the national average that has increased 4.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.18/gallon, according to gasoline price website Gas-Buddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Arkansas during the past week, prices yesterday were 9.2 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 3.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 3.7 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 14.1 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on December 5 in Arkansas have ranged widely over the last five years, peaking at $3.16/gallon in 2012 and $3.12/gallon in 2011.

“If I had a nickle for everytime OPEC said it was going to cut oil production, I could probably buy everyone free gas on Christmas,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for Gas-Buddy.

GasBuddy is the premiere source for real-time local gas prices.

From Gregg Laskoski