This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
If you think gasoline prices in Utah are dropping, you are right.
AAA reports that Utah's current average gasoline price is $3.05 for regular, 18 cents less expensive than last months and 36 cents lower than a year ago. Only seven states have lower gasoline prices than Utah. And the Beehive State compares well with the national average of $3.26.
"Plentiful supplies, flat demand and falling crude prices combined for dramatic relief at the pump for Utah motorists this fall, but the lower pricing trend has been mixed the last several weeks in other areas," said AAA Utah spokesperson Rolayne Fairclough, "While Utah and 19 other states continue to see lower prices, 30 states have higher prices including Florida with a 22-cent increase and 12 other states with increases about 10 cents."
AAA reported that all of the Utah cities it tracks reported double-digit decreases in average prices with Ogden, Provo and Salt Lake City all under the $3 mark. Provo's motorists enjoyed the lowest average price at $2.97.
Moab reported that greatest drop, with prices there dropping 23 cents to $3.27 per gallon. St. George saw the smallest drop, at 12 cents, with residents and visitors there paying the highest price per gallon at $3.29.
Comparing Utah to other states, Arizona gas prices average $3.14, Colorado $3.09, Idaho $3.15, Montana $3.03, Nevada $3.28, New Mexico $3.04, and $3.16 in Wyoming. Las Vegas drivers are paying an average of $3.21 for regular, while the per gallon price in Los Angeles is $3.65, Phoenix $3.10, $3.46 in Reno, and $3.65 in San Francisco.
AAA suggested that consumers should shop aggressively for the lowest price. In the Salt Lake Valley, for example, west-side stations can offer much less expensive gasoline prices than the same brand stations on the east side of the valley. AAA offers text alerts via mobile phone for low gas prices. Consumers can sign up at http://www.aaa.com/gas.
The automobile club also recommends improving mileage by keeping tires at their proper pressure, performing routine maintenance, making sure fluids are clean and that belts and hoses are good repair. Smoothing driving by avoiding sudden stops and starts, combining trips and lightening your load also help conserve fuel.
Twitter: @tribtomwharton