Going up: Gas prices soar

BOISE — Idaho gas prices leaped by 17 cents in a week as COVID-19 restrictions are slowly lifted and fuel demand rebuilds. For the week, the Gem State’s price jump was the largest in the country.

“At the peak of the stay-home orders, pump prices in Idaho dropped by double digits for four or five weeks in a row,” says AAA Idaho Public Affairs Director Matthew Conde. “But as people return to work, more attractions and businesses re-open, and the end of the school year approaches, we could see something of a boomerang effect, with prices sharply increasing in the weeks ahead.”

Monday, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Idaho was $1.98, which is 4 cents more than a month ago, but $1.22 less than a year ago. Meanwhile, the U.S. average price is $1.88, which is 6 cents more than a month ago, but 97 cents less than a year ago. Nearly every state’s average gas price is more expensive this week — on average, 4 cents higher than a week ago.

Gas was $1.57 for a gallon of unleaded at Fred Meyer, and was above the $1.60 mark at most stations in Kootenai County, closing back in on $1.70.

In addition to COVID-19-related economic forces, gas stations across the country will also make a belated switch to summer-blend fuel this week, which is more expensive to produce.

The last time the national average was under $2 per gallon heading into the Memorial Day holiday was 17 years ago, when drivers paid just $1.50 per gallon to fill up in 2003. While this year’s holiday gas prices won’t be nearly as low, drivers in many parts of the country will still see a substantial savings over last year.

“Idaho gas prices recently fell below the national average for a few days, which is definitely the exception and not the rule,” Conde explained. “Gasoline stocks in the Rockies region have been dropping for the last six weeks, even as regional refineries are slowly ramping up production. We would expect these trends to continue for the foreseeable future.”

Idaho drivers are quickly returning to familiar territory, taking their place among those who pay the most for fuel nationwide. Gem State pump prices usually fall between 7th and 9th most expensive in the country — today, Idaho is 14th after falling as low as 25th just a few weeks ago.