Gas prices soar
From left, Calin Walt, D.J. Reynolds and Essex Prescott prepare for a rainy Monday ride after fueling their dirt bikes at the Nomnom service station in Coeur d'Alene. Idaho has set a new record for expensive gas at an average of $4.48 per gallon.
DEVIN WEEKS/Press
Gas at the Nomnom on Best Avenue and 15th Street in Coeur d'Alene was $4.32 per gallon for unleaded and $5.27 per gallon for diesel on Monday.
Two-wheeled vehicles might be the way to go these days, as far as gasoline is concerned.
Essex Prescott of Coeur d'Alene and two friends fueled up their dirt bikes at the Nomnom service station on Best Avenue and 15th Street on Monday, where unleaded was $4.32 a gallon. Prescott's total topping off a two-and-a-half gallon tank was $4.64.
"You get a whole couple hours' worth of smiles out of one of these," Prescott said.
As regular vehicle drivers, the dirt bikers commiserate with those who are grimacing at high prices at the pumps.
"It's pretty high. It's crazy," Prescott said. "I think we're lucky here compared to other places, for sure. I'm happy to be in Idaho, that's for sure, but it is still really high."
The average price of gas in Idaho is so high it's set a record.
According to a Monday news release from AAA Idaho, the Gem State has hit its highest average price for regular gas at $4.48 per gallon, about 4 cents more than a week ago and 7 cents more than a month ago.
It may reach $4.50 in the next few days.
The national average currently sits at $4.33, which is 14 cents more than a week ago and 21 cents more than a month ago.
Right now, Idaho ranks 13th in the country for most expensive fuel.
“Ten states and the District of Columbia are already over the $4.50 mark today, and Utah, the supplier for most of our gasoline products, is right on the verge," AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde said in the release. "It doesn’t bode well for Idaho drivers. With Memorial Day and a busy travel season ahead, fuel demand is likely to push pump prices even higher in the coming weeks.”
AAA reported the West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude oil is trading near $105 a barrel after hitting $110 on Friday.
Tight supplies and news that the European Union has proposed a ban on Russian oil imports within six months have put additional upward pressure on global crude prices, which comprise about half the price of finished gasoline.
According to the Energy Information Administration, domestic crude stocks are about 14% lower than a year ago. While U.S. gasoline supplies are falling, demand slightly increased to just less than 9 million barrels per day.
"If gas prices keep climbing, more Americans are likely to modify their travel behavior,” Conde said. "For now, most people will grit their teeth and move forward with their current vacation plans."
Here’s a sampling of Idaho gas prices on Monday:
Boise — $4.53
Coeur d’Alene — $4.37
Franklin — $4.47
Idaho Falls — $4.38
Lewiston — $4.47
Pocatello — $4.40
Rexburg — $4.50
Twin Falls — $4.50
