Holiday gas bumps could affect prices going into 2023

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Gas experts at AAA say we may be in for a holiday spike in gas prices.

Due to distribution costs, prices vary across the state. For example in some areas of eastern Idaho, prices have dipped below $3 while in treasure valley, prices remain around $4.30.

And while gas prices have declined since the spike at the start of Russia's conflict with Ukraine, according to AAA Idaho Public Affairs director Matthew Conde, rising costs of crude oil and upcoming holiday travel could push prices at the pump even higher.

"Our question is always the same How low will prices go? We need them to get as low as possible in January because historically that's the low point of the year. And then as we start to get warmer weather and get more active again, prices tend to go up from there and plateaus sometime in July," Conde said.

He says the gas trends over the holiday season could affect prices at the pump throughout 2023.

"The lower we can get the starting point, the better our next year will be. But if we're still sitting somewhere around $4, watch out. We're going to be right back towards $4.50, $5 gas in the prime of the driving season," Conde said.

You can find the lowest gas prices in the area HERE.