BOISE — Although the national average has leveled off since the beginning of the year, Idaho gas prices have continued to slide, dropping 18 cents since January 1st, according the AAA Idaho.
“The U.S. and Idaho average prices are now just thirteen cents apart, as supply continues to meet and exceed the current level of demand,” said AAA Idaho spokesman Matt Conde.
“Today, the U.S. average price is $2.26, which is two cents less than a month ago and 33 cents less than a year ago,” he explained. “In the Gem State, the average price is $2.39 -- which is 19 cents less than a month ago and 18 cents less than a year ago.”
Idaho currently ranks fourteenth in the country for most expensive gas prices, but usually occupies a ranking between seventh and ninth place.
“Nationwide, gasoline stocks are at their highest level on record -- at 259 million barrels, partly due to severe winter weather in the Midwest and on the East Coast that has prevented some of the usual driving activity,” said Conde. “Barring an unforeseen change, pump prices should hold steady -- or even drop a little more -- throughout the week.”
Officials point out that some of the recent political and economic upheaval has been offset by increased U.S. production. A few weeks ago, the United States set a new record -- pumping 11.9 million barrels of crude oil per day.
Last week, the U.S. also added ten oil rigs, bringing the total to 862 –- 103 more than a year ago. “If oil prices continue to climb, domestic production will likely expand, and that could keep some market forces in check for the short term,” Conde stated.
In the Rockies region, gas prices fell last week in every state. Utah led the way with a five-cent decrease, following by Wyoming (a decrease of 4 cents), and Idaho, Montana and Colorado (all with 3-cent decreases). Today, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming prices are within a penny of each other.
“Idahoans may be a little jealous of Montana’s and Colorado’s gas prices ($2.25 and $2.06 per gallon), but we have it better than the drivers on the West Coast,” Conde said. “In Washington, Oregon, and California, they’re paying $2.91, $2.80, and $3.24 per gallon today.”
Generally, the Rockies region is one of the last to react to changes in the U.S. average -- but if the national average starts to climb in coming weeks, Gem State prices will eventually follow suit.
Here’s a look at gas prices across the Gem State:
Albion, $2.61
American Falls, $2.41
Athol, $2.44
Bellevue, $2.52
Blackfoot, $2.37
Boise, $2.31
Bonners Ferry, $2.37
Burley, $2.49
Carey, $2.50
Cascade, $2.50
Chubbuck, $2.40
Coeur d’Alene, $2.26
Council, $2.56
Dalton Gardens, $2.24
Dover, $2.35
Driggs, $2.60
Emmett, $2.29
Franklin, $2.39
Fruitland, $2.41
Glenns Ferry, $2.32
Gooding, $2.39
Greenleaf, $2.36
Hailey, $2.54
Hayden, $2.24
Homedale, $2.36
Idaho Falls, $2.41
Island Park, $2.70
Kamiah, $2.26
Kellogg, $2.40
Kimberly, $2.57
Kooskia, $2.29
Lava Hot Springs, $2.50
Lewiston, $2.46
Malta, $2.55
Moscow, $2.64
Mountain Home, $2.27
New Meadows, $2.59
Notus, $2.36
Orofino, $2.36
Parma, $2.36
Pocatello, $2.45
Ponderay, $2.35
Rathdrum, $2.32
Rigby, $2.43
Saint Maries, $2.40
Shoshone, $2.40
Stanley, $2.90
Sugar City, $2.52
Teton, $2.51
Twin Falls, $2.45
Wallace, $2.40
Wendell, $2.37
Worley, $2.49
