Northwest Iowa — Labor Day weekend travelers are encountering high gas prices and by the holiday it’s predicted the national average will be the highest ever according to the American Automobile Association.
AAA predicts prices should drop in September as Gulf Coast refineries closed by Hurricane Isaac resume operations, as gasoline demand decreases following the end of the summer driving season and as refineries transition to the production of less-expensive winter-blend fuels.
The national average price of gasoline was $3.829 a gallon on Friday, which is the highest average on record for that date. The second highest price on the date was in 2008, when the national average was $3.687 a gallon. The national average price of gasoline has broken calendar highs for 12 consecutive days beginning on August 20.
Avery Ash, AAA spokesperson says that it has been a really tough summer for drivers nationwide with high gas prices breaking daily records. She says that every week there seems to be something new driving up gas prices, whether it is a major refinery fire, a pipeline closure or a Gulf Coast hurricane.
According to gasbuddy.com, the average price reported in Iowa on Friday was 3.747. That’s only about 10 cents more than last year on that date. The price then was 3.639.
In our area, gasbuddy.com reported a latest price of 3.649 at one station in Sheldon. It was the same price at stations in Le Mars, Hospers, Rock Valley, Hull, and Rock Rapids. It was a little higher in Orange City and Alton at 3.689. Subscribers in Sioux Center, Hinton, and Worthington reported prices of 3.699. The price at two stations in Sibley was reported by gasbuddy.com subscribers at 3.589. One report was that a station in Inwood was selling gas at 3.579. That price, reported in the 6 AM hour on Thursday was the lowest reported price in our area.
Sioux Falls motorists are paying between 3.58 and 3.65. Sioux City motorists are paying between 3.56 and 3.75 for a gallon of gas, according to gasbuddy.com. And in the Iowa Great Lakes area, you can expect to pay between 3.69 and 3.79 for a gallon of midgrade gas.
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