Idaho gas prices drop but could be calm before the holiday storm

Planning on traveling over the holiday weekend? You might want to take advantage of lower prices at the pump before Labor Day travel revs up.

According to AAA Idaho, the average price for a gallon of gas in Idaho was down two cents per gallon to $3.49 from last week, however demand over the holiday could drive those costs upward again.

Still, the agency pointed out that the cost for a gallon of gas, which is two cents higher than a month ago, is eight cents less than a year ago in the Gem State. Nationally, gas is $3.16 on average, three cents higher than last week, the same as last month and about 19 cents less than this time last year.

“We’ll take ‘calm,’ but we may flip the script later this week as people start fueling up for Labor Day travel,” said Matthew Conde, AAA Idaho public affairs director.  “Given the strong turnout for the past several holidays, we don’t see Labor Day breaking the pattern of very busy roads.”

Across the state, prices more on par with the national cost per gallon could be found in Idaho Falls and Ammon. Sam’s Club in Idaho Falls had gas for $3.18 per gallon on Tuesday and Texaco in Ammon had it for $3.19, according to reports on Gasbuddy.com.

The highest average prices in the state were in the Boise area at $3.58 per gallon.

Idaho this week ranks seventh most expensive in the country, AAA Idaho stated, with California ranking first with an average cost of $4.56 a gallon, though many areas in the state averaged the same as Boise.

The Energy Information Administration reported a drop of six million barrels in crude oil inventories, AAA stated, which could impact gas prices if demand increases this week.

“Modest gasoline demand helped us last week, and refineries continue to operate near 97% of capacity,” Conde said.  “Anything that alleviates pressure in the supply chain could bring savings at the pump this week or at least help offset any late-summer spikes.”