Idaho: lowest gasoline prices in the nation

According to AAA of Idaho, the Gem State has the lowest price for gasoline in the country. The Idaho Department of Labor said low prices can have an impact on how much money you can save annually. It also can impact local businesses.

“If the prices remain where they are at, the average Idahoan is going to save about $500 a year — that is per person in the state,” said Chris St. Jeor, economist with the Department of Labor.

AAA of Idaho says for the past two weeks, the Gem State has had the lowest prices in the country. The average for a gallon of regular is $1.91. The national average is $2.24.

“This is really unusual to be in the No. 1 position, coming from the highest prices just 60 days ago. I have been watching gasoline prices for Idaho for AAA since 1989. If this has happened I don’t recall it, and it is certainly odd, at least for the last 10 years,” said Dave Carlson, AAA spokesman.

Meanwhile, St. Jeor said the low prices could affect our local economy. The prices are hitting oil fields hard, causing some to lay off workers who came from Idaho. He said those workers could be coming back to the Gem State.

“It is going to increase the available workforce and it is going to create even more economic stimulus for businesses looking to hire,” said St. Jeor.

So far, the low prices have done just that. The biggest for-hire trucking company in Idaho, called Doug Andrus, is seeing a change.

“In the past, we had lost some drivers to the oil fields for some work and in the past few months we have been seeing them come back, saying the companies they had been working for have closed,” said Trent Belnap.

Doug Andrus still needs more truck drivers, though. For more information on how to apply you can visit,https://www.dougandrus.com/Career_Opportunities.php.

St. Jeor said a decrease in global demand for oil is contributing to low fuel prices. He also said projections show prices should remain relatively low until next year.