Gas prices edge up over holiday
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Jeff DeMoss
Standard-Examiner staff
jdemoss@standard.net
O
GDEN -- Local fueling stations started raising gasoline prices last week and over the Christmas weekend, reversing the four months of gradual decline that typically occurs after Labor Day.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in the Ogden-Salt Lake City area was $2.25 Wednesday, an increase of nearly three cents in a week, according to AAA's daily survey of gas stations across the United States.
Local prices have fallen from a record high of $2.94 reached Aug. 21, but are still almost 28 cents higher than a year ago.
In recent years, prices have increased steadily overall during late winter and early spring, fallen slightly during the summer before running up again in advance of Labor Day and tapering off again toward the end of the year.
AAA spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough said last week's increases were not surprising.
"We always anticipate a small increase during the holidays," Fairclough said. "Christmas travel always brings prices up."
She said prices typically go down after Jan. 1, but that was not the case in 2006, when prices rose steadily from the start of the year through most of May.
Utah prices are near the middle of the pack compared to other states, with 22 states reporting lower averages on Wednesday.
Utah's statewide average of $2.29 is still below the national average of $2.34. During late summer and early fall, Utah had some of the highest prices in the nation.
Oklahoma motorists currently enjoy the nation's lowest prices with an average of $2.16 per gallon, while Hawaii drivers are paying the most at $2.82.
Prices for diesel fuel also have fallen from record highs set earlier this year, but remain well above gasoline prices. The Ogden-Salt Lake City average for diesel was $2.77 on Wednesday, compared with $2.69 nationwide. Locally, diesel prices are up 38 cents from a year ago.
Crude oil prices, a major factor in the price of gasoline and diesel, are up slightly from a year ago, but still hover around the $60 per barrel mark.
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