JEFFERSON CITY — The average price for a gallon of gas in the Show-Me state for the week ending on November 18th is $2.96, according to the AAA Missouri Weekend Gas Watch.

That price is down seven cents from last week and down 35 cents from this same week last year. In total, Missouri ranks eight in the country for lowest average gas price, just behind neighboring Arkansas.

According to the report from AAA, drivers in Jefferson City are paying the most for gasoline at an average of $3.12 a gallon. The Capital City is followed by the St. Louis metro and Columbia, where the average price to fill up is $3.04 and $3.00 a gallon respectively.

The metropolitan area with the lowest average price a gallon is Joplin with an average of $2.72.

“As millions of Americans prepare to hit the road for Thanksgiving, gas prices are dropping, but fluctuations remain possible,” said AAA Spokesperson Nick Chabarria. “Still, drivers will pay nearly 30 cents less per gallon compared to last Thanksgiving.”

AAA said despite projections more than 49 million people will travel 50 miles or more on the road for the Thanksgiving holiday, “lower crude oil prices could help keep demand-based gas price increases to a minimum.”