After respite, Utah pump prices soar

After enjoying some of the lowest prices in the nation for most of the summer, Utah motorists are paying a lot more to fill up their vehicles, compared with just a month ago.

AAA Utah, which tracks gasoline prices throughout the state, said the average price of a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline was $3.83 Tuesday, the highest recorded average price in Utah so far this year.

That's a penny a gallon higher than yesterday, 10 cents higher than a week ago and 37 cents above last month's price.

"Our prices have been relatively low for quite awhile, so maybe we shouldn't be too surprised to see them move more toward the national average," said Rolayne Fairclough, spokeswoman for the travel services company.

Still, Fairclough noted that traditionally Utah's gasoline prices decrease with the coming of fall as driving demand lessens and the lower-cost winter blend gasoline is introduced into the market. "I'm hopeful that we'll be seeing some price relief in the near future," she said, although in recent years winter prices in the state have topped the national average.

The average price for unleaded regular gasoline nationally is $3.84, up 15 cents from last month, AAA Utah reported.

Eight states — California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Washington — have averages topping $4 a gallon.

"The national average price made record increases during the late summer as the country was experiencing refinery and pipeline issues in the Gulf states and Midwest, as well as the threat of Hurricane Isaac," Fairclough said.

She noted, though, that the national price has decreased for seven of the 11 days since the beginning of September and suggested that trend will continue with the end of the summer driving season. —

Gas prices in Utah

Tuesday • $3.83

Week ago • $3.73

Month ago • $3.46

Year ago • $3.59

Record high • $4.22 (July 18, 2008)

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National averages

Tuesday • $3.84

Week ago • $3.82

Month ago • $3.69

Year ago • $3.65

Record high • $4.11 ( July 17, 2008) —

Find low-priced gasoline

O Go to UtahGasPrices.com or SaltLakeGasPrices.com