Largest increase for July in more than 12 years

Triple A’s end-of-the-month gas price report shows a 5.1 percent increase in the national average for gas prices, or 17 cents a gallon over the course of July. This was the first monthly increase since March and the largest July increase in more than a dozen years, when AAA began recording gas prices. Higher global oil prices and increased demand for gasoline during the busy summer driving season were the primary factors that sent pump prices higher in July.

Heading into August, they predict that national gas prices next month are likely to remain relatively flat with the possibility of a small increase.

Gas prices here in Hutchinson are at $3.49 a gallon for regular unleaded, while the prices in larger cities are cheaper. In both Wichita and Topeka, the price is currently at $3.44 per gallon, while up in Lawrence, the price is $3.42 per gallon.

Triple A officials says gas prices should begin to fall soon after Labor Day as the summer driving season ends, gas demand declines and refineries transition to less expensive fuel blends.