| Nickole Larson fills her tank at a local gas station. Gas in Price rose 10 cents or more in the last week. |
Although the costs at gasoline pumps in Utah registers the second lowest in the country, motorists are experiencing a surge in prices at locations throughout the state.
The average price across Utah for regular, self-serve gasoline is currently $2.34 a gallon.
The average statewide cost represents 19 cent increase since Feb. 13 and registers 3 cents higher than one year ago, indicated AAA Utah..
At the local level, Carbon County motorists are paying a low pump price of $2.33 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline.
The national average price increased 31 cents from last month to $2.54.
The current cost paid at pumps throughout the United States registers 18 cents higher than a year ago.
“The price of oil has stayed rather constant in the $60-$62 range these past several weeks,” said Rolayne Fairclough, AA Utah spokesperson. “The increase in gasoline prices can be attributed to the switch over to the more expensive fuels formulated for summer weather, and the increase in demand because of the warmer temperatures.”
Prices increased in all of the cities across the state surveyed by AAA Utah.
The highest increase, 27 cents, was in Moab.
The current price in Moab is now $2.45 a gallon.
Provo’s price increased 25 cents to the current average, $2.34.
Ogden’s motorists now pay an average of 21 cents more than last month.
Ogden’s price for a gallon of regular self-serve is now $2.32.
Salt Lake City and Logan motorists saw prices increase an average of 20 cents this past month.
The current price in Salt Lake City is $2.29. Logan’s average price is $2.36.
The price in St. .George increased 15 cents to the current average, $2.40. Vernal’s motorists saw the smallest increase in a month, 5 cents. The current price in Vernal is $2.34.
At the regional level, all of the states in the intermountain west saw prices jump since last month.
Idaho’s average price rose 21 cents to the current price of $2.41.
Montana’s motorists saw gasoline pump prices jump 32 cents to an average price of $2.42 per gallon.
Wyoming reported the lowest average per gallon pump price in the country. The price in Wyoming is now $2.31, 22 cents higher than last month.
Colorado’s price increased 33 cents. The current price in Colorado is $2.49.
Arizona’s average price registered 35 cents higher than last month. The current price in Arizona is $2.60.
Nevada motorists are paying 27 cents more this month. The average price in Nevada is now $2.76.
California’s average price ranks as the highest in the country. Breaking the $3 mark, the current price in California is $3.11, representing a 48 cent increase from last month.
“Another reason prices tend to increase this time of year is that when refineries switch formulations, they often shut down for routine maintenance, causing a temporary decrease in the supply of fuel,” pointed out Fairclough.
As the temperatures change, the pressure in tires change, too, explained the AA Utah representative.
According to AAA Utah, Carbon County residents can stretch fuel dollars by:
•Making sure the tires on motor vehicles are at the proper pressure.
•Making sure motor vehicles are properly maintained.
•Checking to make sure the fluids and filters in motor vehicles are clean.
It is also a good time to clean out the unnecessary articles that often accumulate in a vehicle during the winter, continued Fairclough.
Even though costs faced by drivers visiting gasoline pumps are increasing, local motorists can save money by shopping aggressively for the lowest price available.
AAA’s fuel gauge report is one of the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with more than 85,000 self-serve stations surveyed daily nationwide.
Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express.