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Prices at the pumps of Utah gasoline stations remained the fourth highest in the lower 48 states as of Tuesday, despite a national trend of slowing fuel cost increases thus far in June.

AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough said that regular gas price hikes for the current month average 11 cents higher compared to the same time in May, with average costs at $3.03 per gallon (nationally, the price average was $2.75). Still, that rate of increase is far less than the 40-cent leap motorists endured from April to May, and this time last year, gas cost 55 cents more than it did on Tuesday.

Of all the Utah cities surveyed by AAA, Logan reported the highest increase per gallon May to June (12 cents), while Moab registered the lowest (3 cents).

Of the lower 48 states, only California (highest, at $3.59), Nevada ($3.26) and Washington ($3.06) had higher gas prices; Alaska and Hawaii came in at $3.37 and $3.31.

Though Utah's 11-cent May-to-June hike in only a penny higher than the national average, the difference it still significant, Fairclough said.

"A penny can mean a lot and when analyzing gasoline costs, it does," she said. "AAA analysts calculate that in Utah, one cent in the cost of gasoline translates to over $11 million annually."

Fairclough had some good news, though: Nationally prices are poised for a seasonal decline because the refineries have generally completed maintenance and are gearing up for the summer driving season. Also, the cost of crude oil is unlikely to rise significantly in the next couple months — barring unexpected geopolitical crises in the Middle East, refinery problems or a major hurricane disrupting production.

Twitter: @remims