State average for gas drops again

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in the Gem State is $3.37, which is 4 cents less than a week ago, 14 cents less than a month ago and 53 cents less than a year ago.

In Bonner County, the average price for  gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.43 while in Boundary County, the average cost is $3.34. In Kootenai County, the least expensive gas was at Costco and Walmart, which were both charging $2.99 a gallon Sunday with the average price overall in the county is $3.19 for a gallon of unleaded gasoline.

Meanwhile, the national average stands at $3.13 per gallon, which is about a nickel less than a week ago, 9 cents less than a month ago and 37 cents cheaper than a year ago.

Idaho ranks eighth in the country for most expensive fuel behind California ($4.60), Hawaii ($4.58), Washington ($4.05), Nevada ($3.81), Oregon ($3.64), Alaska ($3.60) and Utah ($3.38).

“Crude oil spiked briefly amid recent conflicts in the Middle East, but Israel’s measured response may alleviate some concerns,” said AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “We hope for another quiet week, but uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election may affect pump prices to kick off November.”

This week, all but four states saw gasoline prices drop.

The West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude oil is currently trading near $68 per barrel. That’s $3 less than a week ago, about the same as a month ago, and nearly $16 per barrel less than a year ago. AAA says that’s significant, given that half of the price of finished gasoline is tied to the cost of crude.