Drivers paying more at the pump

COEUR d'ALENE — According to AAA, Monday’s average price for a gallon of regular in the Gem State was $3.89, which was 6 cents more than a week ago and 13 cents more than a month ago.

But for those in search of a silver lining, AAA also reports that the current price is $1 per gallon cheaper than a year ago.

The national average sits at $3.55 per gallon, a three-cent drop from a week ago and a penny less than a month ago.

Idaho currently ranks ninth in the country for the most expensive fuel. The leaders are California ($4.87), Hawaii ($4.73) and Washington ($4.71).

At $2.96 per gallon, Mississippi is the only state in the U.S. where pump prices average below the $3 mark.

“If the economy were an airplane, the captain would be asking everyone to buckle up and prepare for turbulence,” said AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde.

AAA says that gasoline demand will likely accelerate as more kids finish the school year. As families begin to set out on summer road trips, pump prices could climb even higher.

The West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude is currently trading near $73 per barrel, the same as a week ago, but $2 more than a month ago. Crude prices have hovered in the high $60 and low $70 range since the beginning of May, a drop from $83 earlier in the year.

“Right now, we don’t anticipate many people giving up on their summer travel plans, especially with where prices were a year ago,” Conde said.

Current Idaho gas prices include Boise, $3.93; Franklin, $4.16; Idaho Falls, $3.76 and Lewiston $3.89.