Average per gallon gasoline prices dip in Carbon County, at pumps across Utah

By Sun Advocate

Carbon County residents have witnessed the average price decrease slightly to $3.24 per gallon for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline.
At the state level, Utah’s motorists have found some relief at the pump as prices creeped downward after the constant increases leading up to Memorial Day.
But despite the recent declines, gas pump prices in the Intermountain West remain higher than one month ago, reported AAA Utah.
The average price in Utah for one gallon of regular, self-serve gasoline is $3.25.
The price is 4 cents higher than last month’s report on May 15 and 34 cents higher than one year ago.
Utah’s all-time high price, $3.28, was recorded on May 31.
At the national level, the average price for a gallon of regular, self-serve gasoline is $3.07.
The price is 2 cents lower than last month’s report and 17 cents higher than a year ago.
The national all time high average price, $3.23, was recorded on May 24.
“Below average inventories and high demand shot prices up the last few months,” said Rolayne Fairclough, AAA Utah spokesperson. “Gasoline inventories are firming up and this, coupled with the slight decrease in demand after Memorial Day, gives some relief from the constant price increases at the pumps.”
The average prices in most of the Intermountain states show increases from last month.
Idaho’s current average price for a gallon of regular, self-serve is $3.25. The pump cost is 6 cents higher than the average price in May’s report.
Montana’s price increased 8 cents this past month to the current average price of $3.24.
Wyoming’s motorists saw prices jump 1 cent this month to the current average price of $3.24.
Arizona’s price dropped 3 cents to $3.06 a gallon. Nevada’s price dropped 1 cent to the current average of $3.24.
California, which had the highest price in the nation in May, had an 18 cent decrease since May. The current average price in California is $3.30 per gallon.
Hawaii currently has the highest average price in the country at $3.40 a gallon.
In the Continental United States, Illinois has the highest average price at $3.34.
South Carolina has the lowest average price at $2.87.
The Utah cities surveyed by AAA typically reported price increases during the last month. Logan was the exception with a 2 cent decrease in the average price of regular, self-serve gasoline.
The average price in Logan is now $3.18. Ogden’s price increased 2 cents to $3.19 a gallon.
Provo’s price increased 5 cents this past month. The current average price in Provo is $3.24.
The cost of gasoline increased 6 cents a gallon in St. George from last month’s report. A gallon of regular, self-serve in St. George is now $3.30.
Vernal’s price jumped 9 cents to the current average, $3.28.
Filling up in Moab increased 14 cents a gallon. The current average price in Moab is now $3.36.
from the price of crude oil and gasoline these past few months as crude oil prices were low and gasoline prices shot up due to below typical average inventories for this time of year,” pointed out Fairclough. “Now the demand for crude oil is increasing as more gasoline is produced and the price of gasoline is dropping because supply is up. With all this in place the prices of both crude and gasoline have significant room to move before the traditional parallel relationship between the two is reestablished.”
Motorists continue to suffer at the pumps and as they try to absorb the high prices into budgets.
`AAA Utah offers 16 tips to help consumers stretch a tank of gasoline.
Carbon County motorists should:
•Make certain that the tires on vehicles are properly inflated.
Every pound of pressure tires are under-inflated can result in up to a 2 percent loss in fuel efficiency.
Tires should be checked with a pressure gauge regularly.
Radial tires can be under-inflated and still look normal.
•Keep the vehicle’s front suspension and steering in proper alignment.
•Make sure brakes are functioning properly to minimize rolling resistance.
•Change motor oil as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
People should consider choosing energy-conserving oil, which contains additives that reduce friction and increase vehicles’ fuel economy.
•Check and replace air filters.
Clogged filters can cause an increase in fuel consumption.
•Follow the recommended engine maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual to ensure optimal engine performance and to conserve fuel.
•Use premium fuel only if vehicles require it. The extra expense is not necessary.
People should check owner’s manuals to determine the correct octane level for the vehicles.
•Observe the speed limit.
As motorists drive faster, aerodynamic drag increases.
As a result, at speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour, fuel economy decreases rapidly.
•Use overdrive gears during highway driving.
Using overdrive gears decreases a car’s engine speed, reducing fuel consumption and engine wear.
•Take advantage of cruise control features.
Cruise control features help drivers maintain a constant speed when traveling on highways.
•Avoid hard acceleration and drive defensively.
Drivers should try to brake and accelerate smoothly.
•Idling unnecessarily wastes fuel.
The majority of today’s motor vehicles do not need to be warmed up, indicated AAA Utah.
•Run errands with a plan.
People should try to make as few trips as possible in order to conserve fuel.
•Take a load off the vehicle’s wheels.
A vehicle weighed down with heavy items can increase fuel consumption by 1 percent to 2 percent, pointed out AAA Utah.
•Travel light.
A loaded roof rack can decrease fuel economy by up to 5 percent.
•Keep windows rolled up.
Today’s vehicle has a very efficient air conditioning system.
When driving on highways use the vent feature rather than air conditioning.
•Shop aggressively for the lowest motor vehicle fuel 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 nationwide. Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express.