According to a new report from AAA, the current average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Utah is $2.90, a drop of 50 cents since the last AAA gasoline report on Dec. 11.
Only six states report prices below the $3 mark — Oklahoma, $2.99; Idaho and Minnesota, $2.98; and, Colorado and Wyoming, $2.92.
Since Dec. 11, Salt Lake City and Logan motorists have seen the greatest decrease of gas prices in Utah at 56 cents.
Ogden’s motorists experienced the smallest decrease at 45 cents.
Ogden’s current average gas price also sits at $2.90.
The national average price is $3.30, which is one cent higher than a week ago, and three cents lower than last month’s AAA gas report.
Utah’s average price is three cents lower than it was a year ago at this time. The national price is seven cents lower than a year ago.
AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough said gas prices will likely continue to be lower in 2013 than they were in 2012.
“In the first 90 days of 2012, there were tensions with Iran that pressured the national price at the pump to almost 65 cents higher than they would have been,” Fairclough said. “We don’t have a similar situation moving the market this year, so we expect prices to be lower.”
Fairclough also said increased oil production and lower demand will also contribute to lower prices in 2013.
The national average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in 2013 will likely peak somewhere between $3.60 and $3.80. Last year, the peak national average was $3.94 a gallon. Standard Examiner
