Rising gas prices have drivers feeling heartburn

SANDPOINT — This Valentine's Day, Idaho pump prices have drivers feeling more heartburn than love.

The reason? The average price for a gallon of regular in the Gem State is costing more, according to AAA officials.

A gallon of regular unleaded in Idaho on Monday was going for $3.67 per gallon, which is 7 cents more than a week ago, 29 cents more than a month ago, and 14 cents more than a year ago.

Meanwhile, the national average sits at $3.42 per gallon, which is 5 cents less than a week ago, 13 cents more than a month ago, and seven less than a year ago. Idaho is back in the top 10 for most expensive pump prices, behind Hawaii ($4.89), California ($4.65), Nevada ($4.15), Washington ($4.13), Colorado ($3.99), Oregon ($3.79), Utah ($3.78), Alaska ($3.76), and Pennsylvania ($3.72).

In Sandpoint, the price for a gallon of regular unleaded ranged from $3.39 to $3.46, while the cost of a gallon of regular unleaded was going for $3.03 in Oldtown. In Coeur d'Alene, a gallon of regular unleaded was going for about $3.09 to $3.25.

Elsewhere in Idaho, gas prices as of Monday were Boise, $3.83; Franklin, $3.77; Idaho Falls, $3.52 and Lewiston, $3.59.

“The Rockies region is in a pressure cooker right now. With a lean infrastructure, the loss of production at the Suncor refinery in Colorado has struck a major blow to stock levels and pump prices in the region, including here in Idaho,” said AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “Unfortunately, the price of gasoline could continue to climb throughout the month of February.”

The West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude oil is trading near $81 per barrel, which is $1 more than a month ago and $6 more than a year ago.