Idaho gas prices rise despite falling crude oil costs

Though crude oil prices were down per barrel on May 19 on the news that President Donald Trump said he had paused an attack on Iran, those declines aren’t reflected at the pump for the consumer.

Fuel prices continue to jump up at the pump throughout the nation and in Idaho, which currently ranks 14th most expensive for a gallon of gasoline at an average of $4.63, according to AAA. With the Memorial Day weekend approaching, demand could keep prices increasing.

Brent futures for July were down $1.27, or 1.13%, at $110.83 a barrel by 1 p.m. GMT. The U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude contract for June delivery, which expires on Tuesday, slipped 45 cents, or 0.41%, to $108.21. The more active July contract fell 38 cents, or 0.36%, to $104, Reuters reported.

That price in the Gem State, the travel-related organization stated, is eight cents more than last week, 31 cents more than last month and $1.35 more than this time last year.

Comparatively, the national average is $4.51 per gallon. Texas ranks as the state with the cheapest gas at an average of $3.97 per gallon. The cheapest gas in the Lone Star State was found in Houston at $3.39 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.com.

California leads the country with the most expensive gas at an average of $6.15 per gallon. The cheapest gas in the Golden State was found in Sacramento and Oakdale at $5.09 per gallon as of Tuesday.

In Idaho, the cheapest gas was at a Phillips 66 station in Idaho Falls for $4.29 per gallon; $4.35 per gallon in Ammon at a Texaco station; and $4.39 per gallon at Walmart on 12th Avenue in Nampa, Sam’s Club in Idaho Falls and at Kelly Oil in Buhl.

“Obviously, there’s never a great time for skyrocketing gas prices, but the pain is significant with so much of our summer travel season is still ahead,” said Matthew Conde, AAA Idaho public affairs director. “For now, we believe that people will trim the budget in other ways and still hit the road or catch their flight.”

AAA reported that a record 45 million Americans could be planning to travel this coming weekend, which includes 268,000 Idahoans. The agency reported that of the 45 million, 39 million will travel by car and 3.66 million will fly, with the top destinations being Las Vegas, Seattle and Southern California.

The worst times to travel, AAA stated, are Thursday and Friday afternoons between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. before the Memorial Day weekend and Monday afternoon.

“The most important thing you can pack is your patience,” Conde added. “Aggressive speeds and weaving in and out of traffic can increase the risks of a crash for everyone.”