Montana Gas Prices Drop for the First Time in Three Months

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Montana gasoline prices steadily increased for eight weeks in a row before stabilizing the past three weeks. Now prices are slowly dropping, with hopefully bigger drops on the way. Patrick De Haan is the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy and he provided the current numbers.           

“Average gasoline prices in Montana have fallen 0.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.57 per gallon today,” De Haan said. “Prices in Montana are 2.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 9.8 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.”         

As of Monday afternoon, almost all the stations in Missoula had their prices set to around $3.59 per gallon.     

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Montana was priced at $3.28 per gallon yesterday while the most expensive was $3.89 per gallon.          

Montana is currently ranked 25th in the U.S. when it comes to the average price of gas, up nine spots from last week.        

“The national average price of gasoline has risen 4.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.64 per gallon today,” De Haan said. “The national average is up 10.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 1.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel is down 0.4 cents in the last week and stands at $4.01 per gallon.”         

De Haan added that the nationwide changeover to summer gasoline is now complete. 

“At least one of the three factors that had been actively causing prices to rise in the last couple of months is behind us,” De Haan said. “However, it may take time for the largest pain point to be over... refinery maintenance. The next few weeks should see many refineries wrapping up their work and gasoline output should rise, putting downward pressure on gasoline prices soon.” 

Read More: Montana Gas Prices Hold Firm Despite Iran's Attack on Israel

De Haan said the conflict between Iran and Israel has not had much impact at the pump. 

 "While Israel's retribution on Iran was somewhat surprising, it was also measured, with Iran virtually not even mentioning it publicly,” De Haan said. “As such, the price of oil has moved slightly lower, following the de-escalation that now appears to be taking place. I'm hopeful with reduced concern in the Middle East and an end to the seasonal factors pushing prices up that Americans will soon see relief."