BOISE, Idaho — The price of gasoline per gallon in Boise continues to fluctuate. The average cost has risen 10 cents in the last week, bringing the new average to $3.50 per gallon.
Meanwhile, the national average price per gallon saw an increase of 9.7 cents per gallon in the last week alone, making the national average cost comparable to Boise's at $3.49.
This increased price is 2 cents higher than one month ago, however, it is over 6.2 cents cheaper than one year ago.
According to GasBuddy's survey of 216 gas stations in Boise, there's a 40 cent per gallon difference between the cheapest and most expensive gas in the city. The cheapest gas station stands at $3.29 per gallon, while the most expensive gas station was $3.69 per gallon.
Surrounding areas are also witnessing a price per gallon increase.
While Boise's average price is $3.50, the state of Idaho reflects an average of $3.42 per gallon, a 7.7 cent increase in the last week. Ogden, Utah's average cost per gallon is $3.35, up 10.6 cents and Oregon's average comes in at $3.73 per gallon, up 9.3 cents from last week.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said the reason has to do with refinery maintenance and imported products from Russia.
"The national average price of gasoline has risen for the fifth straight week as retailers pass along the rise in wholesale gasoline prices due to continued challenges: refinery utilization that still hasn't fully recovered from December's cold weather, and refinery maintenance season that's just around the corner," said De Haan.
"There appears to be little good news on the gas price front, with prices unlikely to turn around any time soon. Because of the surge in prices last spring, many refineries that had planned maintenance deferred maintenance until 2023. With the can kicked to this year, we may have similar challenges producing enough refined products to meet demand, especially with the European Union cutting off refined products from Russia starting February 5."
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