Idaho bucks national trend with stable gas prices

Gas prices are climbing around the country and you may have noticed some stations in eastern Idaho jumped from Tuesday to Wednesday.

From Idaho Falls to Rexburg, $3.44 seemed to be a popular price on Wednesday. But AAA Director of Public & Government Affairs Dave Carlson said prices in the Gem State have been relatively stable over the past month compared to the rest of the nation.

According to AAA, the U.S. average sits at about $3.63. That’s up 13 cents from a week ago and up 25 cents from a month ago.

In Idaho, AAA said the average is about $3.50. That’s the same as a week ago and down eight cents from last month.

The reason behind national increases is much closer to home than first thought.

In the Midwest, gas has shot up 34 cents a gallon after a pipeline ruptured between Wisconsin and Illinois. Add that to other equipment problems which have closed parts of three refineries in Illinois and Indiana.

A fire at a refinery near San Francisco on Monday sent traders into a panic, with gas prices along the west coast jumping 25 cents in the last couple of days.

Carlson said Idaho could see impacts from that fire.

“We’ve seen more this year than in years past … there’s more of a direct correlation in regional prices when you see a disruption in supplies or distribution of supplies” said Carlson.

“That’s the thing,” said Justin Fullmer, filling his tank in Idaho Falls. “You’re forced. You still have to keep driving. You’re not going to quit driving.”

“My husband drives across town to save two cents, so probably, we probably will cut back a bit,” said Beth Hendricks in Idaho Falls.

Carlson wouldn’t speculate as to whether Idaho prices are expected to increase or decrease in the coming weeks.