HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Motorists here in Kansas are paying a lot more at the gas pump this week. The average gas price across the state rose to $2.37 per gallon, a nine cent increase in the past week. The higher prices continue to buck the usual winter trend of decreasing prices at the gas pumps.

“Normally at this time of year, we experience falling gas prices, but demand has remained higher than expected,” Shawn Steward, AAA Kansas spokesman, said. “Crude oil prices have also been fairly high to start 2018. These factors have kept prices at the pump higher than a typical winter.”

The state average matches some Hutchinson prices with some at $2.37 per gallon, while Murphy’s USA had a price of $2.35. Prices are cheaper in South Hutchinson where the price is $2.31 at many stations, while Love’s Travel Plaza had a price of $2.29.

These prices locally were according to www.gasbuddy.com as of 1 p.m., Monday.

The highest price in the state was at Hill City in Graham County at $2.62. The lowest was at Walton in Harvey County at $2.24.