Idaho gas prices drop

Idaho’s average price for regular dropped by another 6 cents as the summer draws to a close, AAA said Monday.

“With the return of school and other responsibilities, Idaho families have completed many of their big trips and are now staying closer to home,” said AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “Lower fuel demand translates to lower pump prices, and we’ve also captured some savings in the recent switch to winter-blend fuel, which is cheaper to produce than summer-blend.”

The average price for regular in the Gem State is $4.41 per gallon, which is 6 cents less than a week ago and 26 cents less than a month ago, but 64 cents more expensive than a year ago.

The national average sits at $3.68 per gallon, which is 4 cents less than a week ago and 24 cents less than a month ago, but 49 cents more than a year ago.

In Coeur d'Alene, a gallon of regular unleaded was running on average $4.16, with several area stations in the $4 a gallon range. In Bonner County, gas prices ranged from a low of $3.93 in Oldtown to an average of $4.29 in the greater Sandpoint area.

Idaho currently ranks seventh in the country for most expensive gas, following California ($5.45), Hawaii ($5.27), Nevada ($4.92), Oregon ($4.65), Alaska ($4.64), and Washington ($4.63).

At $3.10 per gallon, today’s cheapest average price can be found in Mississippi.

The West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude oil is currently trading near $85 per barrel, which is about $2 less than a week ago and $6 less than a month ago, but $15 more than a year ago.

Here’s a look at Idaho gas prices as of Monday: Boise, $4.51; Franklin, $4.34; Idaho Falls - $4.35; Lewiston, $4.13; Pocatello, $4.43; Rexburg, $4.46; Twin Falls, $4.44.