Utah's gas prices easing

High temperatures remain a constant this summer, but motorists are seeing some relief from ultra-high gasoline prices.

The average price is $2.87 for a gallon of regular, self-serve gasoline in Utah, down 20 cents from last month and 11 cents from a year ago, according to figures released Tuesday by AAA Utah.

Sixteen states now have higher prices than Utah, which saw prices peak to $3.28 on May 31.

"What a difference a year can make to Utah motorists," Rolayne Fairclough, AAA Utah spokesperson, said in a prepared statement. "Last year, Utah's gasoline prices continued to set 'highest ever' price marks in August through September when Utahns were paying among the highest prices in the country for gasoline."

Utahns are paying a dime more per gallon than the national average. That figure, $2.77, has slipped 27 cents from last month and 23 cents from last year. The national average topped out at $3.23 on May 24.

Among Utah cities surveyed by AAA, Ogden saw the biggest month-to-month decrease, 22 cents, for an average of $2.76. Salt Lake motorists saw the next-largest decrease, 20 cents, and are paying $2.79 per gallon. Moab had the second-highest average, $2.96, despite an 18-cent decrease. Logan, Provo and St. George all saw 16-cent drops. Logan's average stood at $2.84; Provo's, $2.89; and St. George, $2.94. Vernal's 15-cent decrease put its average at $2.97, the highest among Utah cities.

AAA Utah surveys a limited number of communities across the state for its monthly gas report. Individual service stations sell gas at both higher and lower prices, sometimes in the same city block. AAA's report focuses on self-serve regular gasoline without regard to its octane level.

Among Western states, Colorado had a 26-cent decrease and a $2.91 average. Montana saw prices slip the least, 7 cents, to $2.99. Arizona had the lowest average, $2.68.

Nationally, Hawaii drivers were forking over the most for gasoline, $3.26, followed by Alaska's $3.11 and New York's $3.01. The lowest average was in South Carolina, at $2.56 per gallon.

AAA's Fuel Finder at www.aaa.com/gasprices contains real-time information on gasoline prices at more than 85,000 stations throughout the country.

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