Idaho gas prices are up a dollar from last year – Here’s why!
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Gas prices are officially a dollar higher than last year at an average cost of $4.49 a gallon across the Gem State.
Only 17 states saw a price increase this week. Despite being one of the seventeen states that went up, Idaho's ranking fell a rank, from 7th down to 8th for the most expensive fuel in the country.
"The market is under a lot of pressure right now. Upward pressure. And that's going to move prices higher at least in the short term," Matthew Conde, the Public and Government Affairs Director for AAA, said. "There are no immediate signs that we're going to change course right now. Unfortunately, we're on this pattern. We saw a seven-cent jump last week. We saw another one this week. So continuing to move on that upward trend.
Gas prices continuing this upward trend could put a strain on travelers; however, AAA believes there won't be much strain for long. The American Automobile Association (AAA) found people will not travel as frequently or as far once summer comes to a close.
"The kids are back in school. The weather starts to get a little bit rougher," Conde said. "People start reducing their long trips to more of like weekend getaways that are closer. So if demand starts to go down, that could provide a little bit of a relief."
Even if there is a decrease in demand, crude oil prices remain high. The cost of a barrel of crude oil is $85 a barrel, which is $20 more than a year ago.
Idaho's gas prices have been among the highest in the country, mainly due to distribution.
"We're often in the top ten here in Idaho," Conde said. "A lot of it has to do with how our distribution is spread out across the West, and so it takes a little bit longer for a tanker truck to get to some of the places in the West than it might in the East."
The prices may be high, but that doesn't mean you have to give up your weekend getaway. AAA has a few tips to help save some money on your trips.
"It's miserable for everybody," Conde stated. "But you know, one of the things that we always say is try to think like a delivery driver. Make sure you're bundling your trips wherever possible and avoid that traffic congestion as much as you can. And then from a practical standpoint, make sure those tires are properly inflated and that you don't have anything heavy in the back of your vehicle that you don't need."
Although the future costs of gas prices remain uncertain, we will continue to monitor them and keep you informed on how to save some much-needed gas mileage.
