Utah gas prices are soaring again in July

Inflation • Average cost of a gallon has gone up 14 cents statewide since July 1.

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Gas prices are climbing fast again in Utah — almost 14 cents since July began.

On Tuesday, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Utah was $3.71, said AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough, noting that all areas of the state have been impacted.

Ogden and Moab have had the biggest jumps — 15 cents — while gas prices have gone up 14 cents in Provo, 13 in Salt Lake City and Logan, 12 in St. George and 11 in Vernal.

"While Utah gas prices shot up, the national average price ($3.65) is the same as last month," Fairclough said. And while the national price is 18 cents higher than a year ago, prices in Utah are the same as in mid-July 2013.

July's upward surge continues the helter-skelter trend of the spring. Utah had the country's biggest price jumps in May — 28 cents — but then prices went flat in June. Now they're up again.

"While Utah motorists know the pump price typically rises with the thermometer, the current price is the highest it has been on this date since 2008, the year Utah registered its highest prices ever," Fairclough said.

This year's national average is the highest it's been since 2009, but well below the all-time high of $4.10 in 2008.

mikeg@sltrib.com

Twitter: @sltribmikeg