Abundant gasoline supplies and low oil prices should continue to give drivers something to cheer about through the remainder of the summer and into fall -- but Gem State motorists are experiencing less of that tangible benefit, according to AAA.
At $2.48 a gallon, Idaho’s average price is sixth highest in the nation, which is relatively unchanged since June 1. Meanwhile, the U.S. average price has dropped 25 cents in the past 50 days to an average of $2.13.
“It’s not unusual to see the impacts of Idaho’s geographic isolation at the pump, especially during the summer and fall months,” said AAA Idaho spokesman Dave Carlson. “Idaho’s average August 1st price in the past four years has been 29 cents higher than the U.S. mark.”
AAA says that while a record number of American motorists have hit the road for summer travel this year, much lower gas prices have not triggered the sharply higher gasoline demand that many analysts had anticipated.
More than 40 percent of gas stations nationwide are selling gasoline for $2.00 per gallon or less.
“The relative similarity in prices across Idaho suggests that the wholesale price of gasoline may be uniformly higher for the region,” Carlson said. “As AAA speculates, the region’s isolation from refineries near enough to boost competitive pricing tends to keep pump prices higher.”
According to the AAA, states with the highest gas prices are: Hawaii, $2.76 per gallon; California, $2.73; Alaska, $2.624; Washington $2.622; Oregon, $2.484; Idaho, $2.478; Nevada, $2.468.
Across Idaho, Boise drivers are seeing $2.51 per gallon; Coeur d’Alene, $2.44; Idaho Falls, $2.47; Lewiston, $2.37; McCall, $2.67; Nampa, $2.51; Pocatello, $2.49; and Twin Falls, $2.40.
