BOISE, Idaho — The price at the gas pump in Idaho continues to rise.
AAA says Idahoans have been paying less for fuel this spring than drivers in many other states, but that’s about to change.
Greater travel demand and the crude oil market is expected to put pressure on gas prices leading up to Memorial Day.
"In our region, fuel prices can move pretty dramatically with the seasons – in the winter, there's abundant supply and less demand, so prices usually relax, but the reverse tends to happen heading into the summer," says AAA Idaho spokesman Matthew Conde. "We've enjoyed a nice discount at the start of the year, but we expect Idaho prices to slingshot back above the national average soon. Pump prices could jump another 50 cents before it's all said and done."
According to AAA's latest projections, gas prices in the Rockies region are expected to exceed the national average by Memorial Day. Overall, prices are expected to stay below 2018 levels.
AAA predicts that this spring, the U.S. average price will top out near $2.75 per gallon, about 20 cents cheaper than last spring's high of $2.92.
Gas prices in the Gem State are typically 25 to 30 cents higher than the national average, which means Idahoans could pay close to $3 per gallon at the beginning of the summer travel season.
