Gas prices hold steady

SANDPOINT — A record number of Idahoans are traveling this Fourth of July.

According to AAA, Monday’s average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the Gem State was $3.96, which is two cents less than a week ago and seven cents more than a month ago, but a whopping $1.30 less than a year ago.

The national average currently sits at $3.54 per gallon. That’s four cents less than a week ago, three cents less than a month ago, and $1.27 less than a year ago.

In the greater Sandpoint area the average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $4.19. In Kootenai County prices were running from $3.99 for a gallon of gas to $4.19.

AAA projects that 50.7 million Americans will travel for Independence Day, including nearly 291,000 Idahoans, the most since AAA began tracking travel data for the holiday.  Amusement parks, the National Parks, beaches and lakes will be among the most popular destinations.

“Thankfully, pump prices have held steady and even dipped since mid-June,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde.  “A large and very determined group of people will take full advantage of the opportunity to gather for a burger, a hot dog, and some family memories.”

Here’s a seven-year retrospective of gas prices on July 4; the first amount is the cost in Idaho and the second is the U.S.

2022 — $5.25, $4.81

2021 — $3.49, $3.13

2020 — $2.35, $2.18

2019 — $2.99, $2.76

2018 — $3.16, $2.87

2017 — $2.57, $2.23

2016 — $2.48, $2.27

Idaho currently ranks seventh in the country for most expensive fuel behind Washington ($4.98), California ($4.84), Hawaii ($4.71), Oregon ($4.64), Alaska ($4.30), and Nevada ($4.22).

“The summer spike in crude oil and gas prices hasn’t materialized yet, but it’s too early to tell if we’ve hit a major plateau or if we’re still sitting at base camp with another peak on the horizon,” Conde said.