The average cost of a gallon of unleaded gasoline in Utah has hit a record high every day except for three since April 12, according to travel services agency AAA Utah. Unleaded prices on Thursday reached another all-time high of $3.66 per gallon.

"I don't think people are surprised anymore that we keep hitting records," said AAA spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough. "But they are definitely upset about it."

While the state's average diesel prices are tied with Idaho's as the 19th highest of all states, Utah is tied with three other states as the sixth-lowest for unleaded gasoline, according to AAA.

The state with the highest average is Alaska, the only state with an average over $4 per gallon for regular unleaded, at $4.02. Connecticut's average is right at $4 per gallon, followed by California and Illinois, which are tied at No. 3 with an average cost per gallon of $3.95.

Arizona's average of $3.55 is the nation's lowest, followed by Wyoming, at $3.56. The national average is $3.78.

Utah may be among the lowest-priced states for unleaded gasoline, but that is little comfort for Utahns such as Robert Andrews of Tooele, who said the higher gas prices and higher food prices have crimped the budget of his family of seven.

"It's just more and more bad news," he said. "Every time you turn around, prices are going up."

Andrews is grateful to be part of a van pool, which cuts his commuting costs to $40 per month, from the $225 to $250 per month it would cost him just in fuel to drive his own car to Rush Valley daily.

But he still has to drive on weekends and his wife has to drive during the week, so he's looking for a car that runs on compressed natural gas.

"But they sell really fast, and the prices have really escalated," he said.

While Utah is not yet near the $4 per gallon level for regular unleaded, the average cost of premium gasoline in Utah has been on a similar record-a-day trajectory, topping $4 for the first time Wednesday and settling Thursday at $4.03.

Diesel prices in Utah on Thursday hit a high of $4.48 per gallon, up from $4.44 Wednesday.

Back at the Andrews household in Tooele, even Robert Andrews' 17-year old son is mindful of the cost of fuel. "He doesn't even want a car. He doesn't want to have to pay for the gas."

lesley@sltrib.com