This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah motorists, who paid some of the highest gasoline prices nationwide in 2010, now are enjoying the lowest pump prices in the country.
In fact, Utah's unleaded average of $2.80 as of Wednesday was a whopping 29 cents lower than the national average. Neighboring Wyoming was next lowest at $2.83. On the other end, excluding Hawaii and Alaska, was California, at $3.35.
AAA Utah, which tracks pump prices nationally, attributes the difference to the dynamics of the state's gasoline market. Utah often has among the lowest gas prices in winter months, and some of the highest in summer.
"The low price in Utah is typical for this time of year as winter weather settles in and discourages all but necessary driving," said AAA spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough.
Pump prices here tend to move in the opposite way of national trends, sometimes in a completely unexplainable fashion. Prices today, for example, are much lower than in summer 2008, when Utah's unleaded average hit a record $4.22 in July. But for much of last year, the state's price topped $3 per gallon, with Utah motorists paying either the highest or among the highest prices anywhere.
Ultimately, Utah's prices were higher than the national average for three-quarters of 2010 and below the national average the rest of the time. Rarely was the price at the national average.
Although the statewide average on Wednesday was $2.80, motorists in the Salt Lake area reported filling up for as little as $2.60 per gallon, according to Saltlakegasprices.com, a gas-price comparison website.
The difference in prices among stations, some even close to one another, can be quite large. One location selling regular unleaded fuel at $2.60 Wednesday was near others selling the same grade for up to $2.83.
Like other small-business owners, Andrew Duggins, president of Wasatch Crest Shuttle, is glad to see Utah's prices at the bottom nationally. But he notes that the state average remains 20 cents higher than at the same time last year.
"If we could get prices down to $1.99 per gallon, now that would be great."
Duggins said he's frustrated that the dynamics of pump prices are such a mystery.
"There is no fundamental logic to it whatsoever. Even when supply is up and demand is low, prices can still remain high."
Utah average gas prices
Today: $2.80
Yesterday: $2.80
Week ago: $2.81
Month ago: $2.81
Year ago: $2.60
National average prices
Today: $3.09
Yesterday: $3.09
Week ago:. $3.08
Month ago: $2.98
Year ago: $2.75
States with highest prices
Hawaii $3.70
Alaska $3.56
California $3.35
New York $3.33
Connecticut $3.30
States with lowest prices
Utah $2.80
Wyoming $2.83
Colorado $2.88
Missouri $2.90
Idaho/Texas/South Carolina $2.93 —
For the lowest prices
Go to Saltlakegasprices.com