HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The average price for gas in the Hutchinson area is down to $2.09 per gallon for regular unleaded after being at $2.15 earlier in the day Monday. The puts the Hutchinson average per gallon four cents below the state average, which is at $2.13.

According to Triple A Kansas, the state average is the lowest for this date in seven years and the second lowest for this date in the past decade. It’s been an up and down week, though, but the Kansas average has fallen 26 of the last 30 days, from $2.36 on Oct. 10, to just under $2.13, for a total of nearly 23 cents.

They report that Kansas motorists continue to benefit from a substantial discount on what they paid a year ago, nearly 75 cents less now, or 26 percent. Triple A estimates that drivers nationwide are spending about $275 million less per day on gasoline compared to a year ago.

Kansas has widened the gap from the national average of $2.22 by 8 ½ cents, and improved its ranking again this week, from 22nd last week to 15th this week, among the lowest state averages.

However, the price in Kansas is higher than most of the surrounding states. The only state higher is Nebraska where the average price is $2.32 per gallon. Colorado, which was higher than Kansas recently, is now lower where its average price is $2.10. Missouri is still the lowest in the region with an average price of $2.07.