The average Kansas driver will pay $43.26 more at the pump in March 2022 than they did in March 2021, according to an analysis of gas prices from the AAA motor club and Federal Highway Administration (FHA) data by Sunflower State News.
Kansas drivers will pay an average of $3.38 per gallon of regular gasoline this month versus $2.53 last year. This is a 33.6 percent increase equaling $0.85 per gallon.
Of the five Kansas metropolitan areas analyzed, drivers in Kansas City (KS only) faced the largest price hike at the pump in the last year of $50.24. Manhattan was spared the worst pain, with the price of gas rising $37.92 from March 2021 to March 2022.
Gas prices across the US hit a seven-year high following a significant drop at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The price of gas, derived from the cost of oil manufactured around the world, has the power to substantially change the free market and influence many industries.
A short-term outlook report from the US Energy Information Administration predicted gas rates will fall throughout 2022.
Kansas drivers average 1,231.8 miles and use 50.9 gallons of gasoline per month, according to the FHA.
| Market | 2022 | 2021 | CHG | % | Total increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City (KS only) | $3.46 | $2.48 | $0.99 | 39.9% | $50.24 |
| Lawrence | $3.47 | $2.52 | $0.95 | 37.8% | $48.46 |
| Wichita | $3.44 | $2.57 | $0.87 | 33.6% | $44.03 |
| Topeka | $3.40 | $2.57 | $0.84 | 32.6% | $42.55 |
| Manhattan | $3.31 | $2.56 | $0.75 | 29.1% | $37.92 |
