Residents of rural Missouri, particularly in north central areas like Chariton County, are paying more at the pump than their counterparts in Kansas City. With gas prices in north central Missouri ranging from $2.86 to $2.92 per gallon, and Kansas City enjoying prices as low as $2.56 to $2.99, averaging around $2.91, many are questioning the fairness of this disparity. In rural communities, Casey’s General Stores, headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa, appears to be the primary price setter, with fewer competitors like Breaktime and virtually no QuikTrip stations in central Missouri. Are rural Missourians subsidizing cheaper gas in Kansas City? Could this be price gouging, where retailers charge higher prices in rural areas to offset urban discounts? This article examines a decade of data, regional dynamics, expert insights, and contact information for key players like Casey’s to explore why rural Missouri pays more and whether this reflects unfair pricing practices.
Missouri Gas Prices: Urban vs. Rural Divide
Missouri’s average gas price was $2.86 per gallon in April 2025, according to AAA, with recent data suggesting stability through July. Regional differences are stark. Kansas City, Missouri’s largest metro area, offers some of the state’s lowest prices, with stations like QuikTrip at 3319 Linwood Blvd reporting $2.56 per gallon and others averaging $2.91 as of July 10, 2025, per Stacker. In contrast, north central Missouri, including cities like St. Joseph and rural Chariton County towns like Keytesville, Salisbury, Mendon, and Brunswick, sees prices between $2.86 and $2.92. Jefferson City tops the state at $2.96–$2.98.
“Gas prices are down on average for the US as a whole, but regional differences persist. Missouri’s urban areas like Kansas City benefit from competition, while rural areas face higher costs.”
— Richard Laycock, Finder.com, July 17, 2025
This gap raises a critical question: If Kansas City stations can offer gas at $2.56–$2.99, why are rural areas paying up to 36 cents more per gallon? With Casey’s dominating fuel sales in central Missouri and few competitors like Breaktime, the lack of QuikTrip stations in areas like Chariton County may contribute to higher prices, prompting concerns about equitable pricing.
A Decade of Gas Price Trends
Over the past 10 years (2014–2024), Missouri’s gas prices have been lower than the national average, thanks to a low state fuel tax (24.7 cents per gallon) and proximity to Midwest refining hubs. Historical data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and AAA shows the following annual averages for regular unleaded gasoline:
- 2014: Missouri $3.30, National $3.43
- 2015: Missouri $2.40, National $2.52
- 2016: Missouri $2.15, National $2.25
- 2017: Missouri $2.40, National $2.53
- 2018: Missouri $2.65, National $2.81
- 2019: Missouri $2.55, National $2.69
- 2020: Missouri $2.10, National $2.26
- 2021: Missouri $2.95, National $3.10
- 2022: Missouri $4.00, National $4.11
- 2023: Missouri $3.20, National $3.52
- 2024: Missouri $2.86, National $3.30
As of July 20, 2025, the national average is $3.144 per gallon, per AAA, while Missouri’s state average remains around $2.86. Kansas City’s prices ($2.56–$2.99, averaging $2.91) are often below this, while north central Missouri’s $2.86–$2.92 aligns with or exceeds the state average. When West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil was last at $65.66 per barrel (March 2023), Missouri’s gas price averaged $3.45, suggesting current prices should be closer to $2.94 based on a historical model (Gasoline Price ≈ $1.30 + 0.025 × Oil Price). Kansas City’s lower prices deviate from this expectation, while rural prices, driven by Casey’s, are closer, hinting at potential overcharging.
Casey’s Dominance in Central Missouri
In central Missouri, Casey’s General Stores, based in Ankeny, Iowa, is the primary fuel retailer, operating 2,729 stores across 17 states as of April 2025, with 222 in Missouri alone. Unlike Kansas City, where QuikTrip and Hy-Vee compete, rural areas like Chariton County rely heavily on Casey’s, with Breaktime stations present but less influential. The absence of QuikTrip in central Missouri reduces competition, allowing Casey’s to set prices with less pressure to lower them.
“Rural areas oftentimes don’t have a local grocery store, restaurant or gas station. Having a Casey’s can help meet those needs.”
— Brian Johnson, Casey’s Vice President of Finance, icl.coop
While Casey’s provides essential services, its dominance in rural markets may contribute to higher prices compared to Kansas City’s competitive landscape.
Why Kansas City Pays Less
Kansas City’s lower gas prices stem from several advantages:
- Proximity to Supply Hubs: Kansas City benefits from its proximity to the Phillips 66 pipeline terminal and refineries in Kansas (e.g., Coffeyville) and Oklahoma (e.g., Ponca City). This reduces transportation costs compared to north central Missouri, where fuel must travel farther to reach Casey’s stations in rural areas like Chariton County.
- Intense Retail Competition: Kansas City’s high density of gas stations—QuikTrip, Hy-Vee, and others—drives competition. GasBuddy lists stations like 1600 NW 88th St at $2.63/gallon, reflecting aggressive pricing. Rural areas, with fewer stations (mostly Casey’s), see less competition, allowing higher prices.
- Urban Market Dynamics: Kansas City’s large population and high fuel demand enable stations to operate on thinner margins, offsetting costs through volume. Rural areas like Keytesville or Brunswick lack this scale, leading to higher per-gallon prices at Casey’s.
“The largest weekly decline in 2022 for fuel prices is good news for drivers, but we’re not out of the woods just yet.”
— Nick Chabarria, AAA Spokesperson, July 2022
Chabarria’s comment, though from 2022, highlights persistent regional disparities, with urban areas like Kansas City seeing faster price drops.
Is This Price Gouging?
Price gouging occurs when retailers charge excessively to exploit consumers, often during crises. While rural Missouri’s prices ($2.86–$2.92) are not exorbitant compared to the national average ($3.144), the 30–36-cent gap between Kansas City and north central Missouri raises suspicions. If Kansas City stations can sell gas at $2.56–$2.99, why can’t Casey’s in rural areas lower prices below $2.86? Several factors suggest potential gouging:
- Asymmetric Pricing: Studies show gasoline prices rise faster when oil prices increase but fall more slowly when oil prices drop. With WTI crude at $65.66/barrel in July 2025, down from $78 in 2023, rural prices should be closer to Kansas City’s $2.91 average. The lag suggests Casey’s may be maintaining higher margins in rural markets.
- Market Power in Rural Areas: With fewer stations in places like Salisbury or Mendon, Casey’s faces less pressure to lower prices. An X post from July 22, 2025, noted Missouri prices ranging from $2.89–$2.99 depending on the municipality, suggesting rural stations charge more due to reduced competition.
- Limited Oversight: Rural communities like Chariton County have fewer resources to monitor pricing. In 2021, Governor Mike Parson addressed natural gas price spikes, stating:
“I don’t want people to be taken advantage of. Just because we’re finding a way to pay some corporation money that’s making millions and millions of dollars off a natural disaster, I want to make sure that’s not happening.”
— Governor Mike Parson, MissouriNet, February 16, 2021
Parson’s concern about profiteering applies to gasoline, especially in rural areas with limited oversight.
The Impact on Rural Missouri
The price disparity hits rural communities like Chariton County hardest. Farmers rely on fuel for equipment and transportation, and higher prices at Casey’s stations increase costs, straining tight budgets. Towns like Keytesville, Salisbury, Mendon, and Brunswick face economic pressures, and elevated fuel costs exacerbate these challenges, widening the rural-urban divide.
Could Prices Be Lower Statewide?
If Kansas City stations can sell gas at $2.56–$2.91, could Casey’s in rural areas charge less? The data suggests yes. Crude oil accounts for 50–70% of gasoline’s cost, with refining, distribution, and taxes making up the rest. With WTI at $65.66/barrel, the historical model predicts $2.94/gallon. Kansas City’s prices are below this due to competition, but rural prices at Casey’s are at or above it, indicating potential overcharging.
“After oil’s sharp drop over the last couple of weeks—driven by concerns over U.S. tariffs and OPEC+ restoring production faster than expected—gasoline prices have posted a notable weekly decline, with nearly every state seeing prices fall.”
— Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy Analyst, Stacker, April 24, 2025
De Haan’s statement confirms falling prices, but rural Missouri hasn’t seen the same relief as Kansas City, suggesting urban areas benefit more from market shifts.
Contacting Key Players
For residents concerned about high gas prices, contacting major retailers like Casey’s can be a step toward accountability. Casey’s General Stores, the primary price setter in central Missouri, can be reached at:
Phone: 1-866-922-0767
Online: www.caseys.com/contact
Address: Casey’s General Stores, Inc., One SE Convenience Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50021
Breaktime, operated by MFA Oil, is another player in central Missouri, though less dominant. Contact them at:
Phone: 1-800-366-0200
Online: www.mfaoil.com/contact-us
Address: MFA Oil Company, One Ray Young Drive, Columbia, MO 65201
Reporting high prices or inquiring about pricing practices can pressure retailers to justify disparities. Apps like GasBuddy also allow consumers to track and report prices at local Casey’s stations.
Addressing the Disparity
To address potential price gouging, Missouri could:
- Increase Oversight: The Missouri Attorney General’s office could investigate rural pricing practices to ensure fairness.
- Encourage Competition: Incentives for new gas stations in rural areas could drive prices down, as seen in Kansas City.
- Consumer Advocacy: Residents can use GasBuddy to report prices at Casey’s, pushing for transparency.
Conclusion
The gap between Kansas City’s gas prices ($2.56–$2.99) and north central Missouri’s ($2.86–$2.92) raises questions about fairness. Kansas City benefits from supply hubs, competition from QuikTrip and others, and urban market dynamics, while rural areas rely on Casey’s with fewer alternatives. The data suggests rural stations could charge less, given Missouri’s low taxes and stable oil prices. Whether this constitutes price gouging requires investigation, but the disparity feels unfair to rural communities like Chariton County. By contacting Casey’s and advocating for transparency, Missourians can push for equitable pricing statewide.
SEO Keywords: Missouri gas prices, Kansas City gas prices, rural Missouri, price gouging, Chariton County gas prices, north central Missouri, Casey’s gas prices, Breaktime gas stations, fuel costs, Kansas City vs Missouri, gas price disparity, AAA gas prices, crude oil prices, Missouri fuel tax, rural gas prices, gasoline price trends.
Sources:
– AAA, July 20, 2025
– Stacker, July 10, 2025
– Finder.com, July 17, 2025
– GasBuddy, April 24, 2025
– MissouriNet, February 16, 2021
– X Post by @pjdubyer, July 22, 2025
– U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2014–2024
– Casey’s General Stores, www.caseys.com
– MFA Oil (Breaktime), www.mfaoil.com
