Idaho motorists are facing a sharp increase in fuel costs as average regular gasoline prices climbed nearly 36 cents per gallon over the last month. The surge places Idaho’s current average price at $4.83 per gallon, according to data from GasBuddy.
Why It Matters
The rising cost of transportation impacts household budgets across the state, with Idaho drivers now paying approximately $1.31 more per gallon than they did this time last year. The weekly increase alone added 6.7 cents to the pump price, continuing a month-long trend that has pushed local averages well above national figures.
What Happened
Fuel prices in Idaho have risen significantly, outpacing the national average. While the U.S. national average for regular gasoline sits at $4.44 per gallon, Idaho’s average is 39 cents higher. The national average has also increased, rising 18.5 cents over the past week and 34.4 cents over the past month.
The price disparity within Idaho remains substantial. On Sunday, the cheapest regular gasoline station in the state sold fuel for $4.38 per gallon, while the most expensive charged $6.51 per gallon. This creates a $2.13 per gallon difference between the lowest and highest prices statewide.
For a driver filling a standard 15-gallon tank, choosing the most expensive station over the cheapest results in a cost difference of nearly $32. Idaho’s current average gas price is higher than the September 21 averages reported by GasBuddy in previous years, marking a notable departure from historical norms for this time of year.
By The Numbers
- $4.83 per gallon: Idaho’s current average regular gasoline price.
- 35.6 cents: The increase in Idaho’s average gas price over the last month.
- $1.31 more per gallon: The difference in cost for Idaho drivers compared to this time last year.
- $4.44 per gallon: The U.S. national average regular gasoline price.
- $6.49 per gallon: The approximate national average diesel price, which rose 30.7 cents per gallon compared with last week.
Zoom Out
The price increases in Idaho are part of a broader national trend driven by supply chain disruptions. Diesel prices have increased in every state due to refinery issues and tighter global supplies. The national average diesel price reached approximately $6.49 per gallon, reflecting the widespread nature of the fuel cost surge.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted that “refinery issues in the Great Lakes region have contributed to particularly sharp increases in several states.” These regional disruptions are compounded by broader geopolitical developments affecting global oil and diesel supplies, including disruptions involving Russian oil refineries.
What’s Next
Future fuel price direction depends on refinery conditions and developments affecting global oil and diesel supplies. As long as supply constraints persist in the Great Lakes region and elsewhere, Idaho drivers may continue to face elevated costs at the pump. The gap between Idaho’s prices and the national average will likely remain until supply chains stabilize.
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