Gas prices drop

COEUR d'ALENE — Idaho gas prices fell nine cents this week as drivers continue to struggle with expensive fill-ups, according to AAA.

“Fuel demand increased last week from 8.5 to 9 million barrels per day, but that’s still more than 300,000 barrels per day less than a year ago,” said AAA Idaho spokesman Matthew Conde. “There’s a bit of a standoff right now. Falling prices are starting to pull some folks off the sidelines and back onto the roads, but there are still a lot of people waiting for a better deal in hopes of one last summer road trip.”

Idaho’s average price for a gallon of regular is $4.70, which is 9 cents less than a week ago and 47 cents less than a month ago.

Coeur d'Alene prices are generally in the $4.40s, with some stations dipping into the $4.30s.

However, with the exception of the Lewiston area, prices in the Gem State are still much higher than the national average of $3.96 per gallon, which is 10 cents less than a week ago and 62 cents less than a month ago.

Idaho ranks seventh in the U.S. for most expensive fuel behind California ($5.37), Hawaii ($5.36), Nevada ($4.94), Alaska ($4.93), Oregon ($4.87) and Washington ($4.81).

Today’s least expensive pump prices can be found in Texas at $3.45.

“On one hand, a shaky economic outlook could continue to drive gas prices down, but there’s always the chance of a hurricane making landfall in the wrong place this time of year, which could slow or even stop the recent downward trend,” Conde said. “Hopefully, Idaho prices will drop below $4.50 per gallon in the run-up to Labor Day and give more families a chance at one last getaway before the summer travel season winds down.”

Here’s a look at Idaho gas prices as of Monday:

Boise, $4.81; Franklin, $4.73; Idaho Falls, $4.73; Lewiston, $4.03; and Pocatello, $4.81.