Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer travel, and as many Idaho families head out on one last road trip, they’ll need to plan on paying more at the pump.
According to The American Automobile Association, today’s average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the Gem State is $4.15
per gallon, which is three cents more than a week ago and 24 cents more than a month ago.
Meanwhile, the national average currently sits at $3.82, which is three cents less than a week ago and seven cents more than a month ago.
Today, Idaho ranks 9th in the country for most expensive fuel behind California ($5.29), Washington
($5.10), Hawaii ($4.78), Oregon ($4.76), Alaska ($4.60), Nevada ($4.60), Arizona, ($4.33), and Utah
($4.28).
Gas prices shot up overnight by a nickel in Boise and by seven cents in the Pocatello area. “Pump prices still haven’t peaked for the year, with fuel demand going strong both for Idahoans and for those who are passing through,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “With many schools not starting until after Labor Day, and plenty of folks coming and going over the weekend, we may not see prices calm down until mid-September at the earliest, when the switch to less-expensive winter-blend fuel and lower demand may lend a helping hand.”
The high price of fill-ups is causing tremendous pain for Idaho drivers, but the current average is still 44 cents less than a year ago.
AAA says that while fuel demand remains steady and the cost of crude oil continues to hover in the $80/barrel range, drivers can expect expensive gas prices for the foreseeable future – especially with the continued threat of hurricane season.
“With domestic and international bookings both topping last year’s totals, we expect the roads and the airports to be really busy,” Conde said. “Plan for heavy traffic on Thursday and Friday afternoon, and coming home on Monday.”
