Gas prices in St. Joseph took another downward turn this past week at $2.13 per gallon while Missouri continues as the cheapest gas price state - resting at $2.19 on average.

Mike Right, American Automobile Association vice president of public affairs, said gas prices have steadily declined by 10 cents since mid-September when the average gas price in St. Joseph was around $2.25 and statewide it was about $2.28.

He said gas prices statewide also have been on an almost steady decline statewide since June 20 when Missouri gas prices averaged $2.51 a gallon.

"Demand for gas usually falls off after Labor Day, so prices also fall as well," Mr. Right said. "How low will it go? Who knows - a lot of that will depend on what happens that can affect crude oil. Most of the time we don't see prices start going up again until around March."

Not only is it a savings for those at the pump, but all taxpayers as well.

Nasser Memarian, director of transportation of the St. Joseph School District, said this school year officials budgeted to spend about $506,000 for gas at about $3 per gallon. When gas goes below the expected amount, the district saves the difference and includes those savings in the next year's budget.

Last year the district budgeted roughly $1 million for gas, but spent $490,000 - less than half the budgeted amount for about 200,000 gallons when gas at one point dropped to less than $2 a gallon.

"We're only two months into the school year to tell what kind of savings we may have this year," Mr. Memarian said. "We'll probably be able to tell more around March or April."

According to the AAA, nationwide gas prices hit $2.49 a gallon, down from $3.65 at this time last year - a $1.20 difference.

Missouri is the cheapest gas state at $2.19 per gallon followed by South Carolina at $2.25, Oklahoma at $2.27 and Arkansas at $2.29.

Nearby to Missouri, Kansas averages at $2.33, Iowa at $2.37 and Illinois at $2.50.

Ronald J. Leone, executive director of the Missouri Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, said the rise and fall of gas prices are normally affected by the price of crude oil and the time of year.

Prices generally increase in the spring/summer time, he said, when more people are traveling, and decrease in fall/winter when people take less road trips.

However, he said Missourians can expect gas prices to increase at times - especially if as the economy improves.

"We're pretty fortunate. Missouri tends to be 10 to 30 cents below the national average and we have a lower fuel tax than our border states," Mr. Leone said. "But there are circumstances beyond our control that can affect fuel prices."

Jeff Schmucker can be reached

at jeff.schmucker@npgco.com