Staff Reports

Gasoline prices in Batesville continued to fall last week in line with decreasing pump costs across the nation.  Motorists can expect fuel prices to remain around the $2 mark in this area through the holiday travel season, officials say.

The national average has fallen 2.7 cents to $2.41 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.

Locally, six stations were selling gas for $1.99 a gallon, including Kroger, Marathon,, Murphy,  Sunoco, Exxon, and Love’s. Other stations were slightly higher, and the most expensive fuel was at Shell on Hwy. 6E at $2.15.

The national average has dropped 28 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 3.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

“Average gas prices have continued to move lower in most states in the last week as retail prices continue to catch up to the low price of oil. 27 states boast a low price of $2 per gallon or less, and Missouri’s statewide average will likely fall under $2 per gallon this week, representing the first state to cross the psychological barrier,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “While the going has been good at most gas pumps, OPEC countries did agree to curb oil production, but the cut was smaller than we had expected, and for a shorter duration than anticipated, resulting in a small upward move in oil, one that may not immediately curb the declines. We appear poised to see the national average drop perhaps at least one more week- and we could close this week with the nation’s average in the $2.30s- the lowest in over a year.”

As of Monday morning, the least expensive gas in Mississippi was found at Sam’s Club on Goodman Rd. in Southaven where a gallon of unleaded regular was $1.82 a gallon.