Gas prices show slight increase

DES MOINES – Average retail gasoline prices in Iowa have risen 2.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.27 per gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 2,036 gas outlets in Iowa. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.21 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Iowa during the past week, prices yesterday were 29.9 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 13.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 7.4 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 28.0 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on August 29 in Iowa have ranged widely over the last five years:
$2.57 per gallon in 2015, $3.37 per gallon in 2014, $3.57 per gallon in 2013, $3.74 per gallon in 2012 and $3.59 per gallon in 2011.

Areas in Iowa and surrounding area and their current gas price climate:

Quad Cities – $2.16 per gallon, up 5.2 cents.

Des Moines – $2.48 per gallon, up 6.1 cents.

Omaha – $2.20 per gallon, down 0.4 cents.

“As the summer driving season wraps up, gasoline prices have risen for 14 consecutive days, thanks in large part due to a late-summer rally in oil markets, driven by OPEC threats,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. “While the final note may be a bit sour, the sweetness of what is still the cheapest summer gas in a decade will linger. Motorists shopping around for gas using the free GasBuddy app over the upcoming Labor Day weekend stand to save 5 to 25 cents per gallon over their counterparts, saving their hard-earned money on a day recognizing their hard work.”

“While some tropical disturbances may lead gas prices to continue rising slightly ahead of Labor Day weekend, relief will be felt across every single state over the next few weeks as gasoline demand drops and cheaper winter gas begins flowing in mid-September,” DeHaan said.

For live fuel price averages, visit http://media.gasbuddy.com.