SANDPOINT – Idaho drivers are experiencing some turbulence at the gas pump, and that trend could continue for a while.
According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the Gem State on Monday was $3.63, up 6 cents from a week ago and 3 cents from a month ago, but 38 cents cheaper than a year ago.
The national average was currently $3.47 per gallon, which is 4 cents less than a week and a month ago, and 36 cents less than a year ago. Due to recent price movements, Idaho is now back in the top 10, ranking 10th for the most expensive fuel in the country. In Shoshone County, which again had the highest average price, a gallon of unleaded gasoline costs $3.78.8.
In Bonner County, the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline is $3,60.90, while the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline in Boundary County is $3,52.60. In In the Coeur d’Alene area, prices ranged from $3.20 to $3.40 per gallon of gasoline.
Before this week’s uptrend, gas prices in the Gem State had been falling steadily since mid-April.
“We’ve already seen a two-cent drop in prices at the gas station over the past few days, so it’s too early to say if we’ll see even bigger price increases this week,” said Matthew Conde, public affairs director for AAA Idaho. “Prices may take a few more turns as travelers take advantage of the remaining weeks of summer for another road trip or two.”
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand fell by 200,000 barrels per day, leading to a corresponding drop in production. Gasoline inventories fell by four million barrels. At the same time, refinery production nationwide is at 90 percent of capacity, a decline of almost two percent. In the Rocky Mountains, refinery production fell by more than four percent to 88.9 percent.
The West Texas Intermediate crude oil benchmark also had a bumpy performance, rising and falling by $1 to $3 per barrel in recent days. Crude oil accounts for more than half of the price of gasoline.
Here’s a look at gas prices in Idaho on Monday: Boise: $3.68; Franklin: $3.59; Idaho Falls: $3.49; Lewiston: $3.50; Pocatello: $3.66; Rexburg: $3.53, Twin Falls: $3.65.
