This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Posted: 3:50 PM- Utah motorists are paying a lot more for gasoline than they did just a month ago.

AAA Utah, which tracks automobile fuel prices in the state, said Tuesday the price of a gallon of self-serve, regular unleaded in Utah averages $2.79, or 45 cents more than last month's average.

The price for the same grade of gasoline nationally is $2.87, this despite the U.S. Department of Energy projecting a week ago that the average would hit only $2.81 for the rest of the heavy summer driving season, with top prices peaking at $2.87.

"The U.S. Department of Energy reported a very weak gasoline inventory early in April," AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough said. "This could [help] explain the dramatic rise in gasoline prices as refiners try to stockpile reserves for the high demand of summer."

Fairclough noted that all of the states in the Intermountain West saw significant monthly price increases. Idaho's average jumped 44 cents, to $2.85. Montana drivers saw a jump of 46 cents, to $2.88, while Wyoming motorists saw a 39 cent increase, to $2.70. Five western states - California, Washington, Hawaii, Nevada and Oregon - are averaging more than $3 a gallon.

Despite a 44 cent increase from last month, Salt Lake City has the lowest average price in the state at $2.73 a gallon. The next lowest, $2.78, is shared by Ogden and Provo. Logan's average price of $2.81 is 45 cents higher than last month. The highest prices are found in Moab, where the average is $2.95.