Holiday gas prices same as last year

Drivers heading out for the holiday weekend can expect to pay an average of $3.205 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Idaho, roughly in line with prices last year.

Gem State fuel prices are 12.6% higher than the national average of $2.845, according to data from AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report. Kootenai County’s average price, however, is closer to the national average, at $3.078.

National gasoline inventories rose slightly, to 228.7 million barrels, data from the Energy Information Administration showed this week, though stocks are 5.2 million barrels lower than this time last year. A barrel of gasoline is 42 gallons.

AAA estimated 43 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles during the Memorial Day holiday — an increase of 1.5 million travelers from a year ago.

The best way to save gas? Slow down to increase fuel economy. Each five miles per hour over 50 is the equivalent of paying $0.18 more per gallon, according to the Department of Energy.

— Andy Obermueller