By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Gas prices generally are trending downward, though they are still above $3 a gallon locally.
"Kansas is fifth cheapest in the country again this week," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "Reno County today is $3.04 a gallon, just slightly above the statewide average."
Prices are well below that average as close as Wichita, with Sedgwick County at $2.94 a gallon.
"Demand has started to tick downward seasonally as we usually see this time of year," Steward said. "Those crude oil prices have been heading downward. Most recently, they have been about $20 less per barrel than we saw at their peak in late October."
A recent survey of Kansas drivers from AAA said many of them are driving differently right now.
Forty-four percent said they have changed their daily driving habits because of gas prices recently," Steward said.
Thirty-seven percent (37%) of drivers say they try to consolidate errands, carpool or otherwise drive less when the price of gas tops $3 a gallon.