(The Center Square) — Iowa gas prices dropped 14 cents but are still higher than a month ago, according to AAA.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Iowa is $3.62, down from $3.76 a week ago. This time last month, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas was $3.57, AAA reported.
Iowa has the second-highest decline in fuel prices. The only state whose average fell more than Iowa is Delaware, down by 20 cents. California’s average changed the most, shooting up by almost a quarter, AAA said. California drivers are now paying an average of $6.03 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, according to the latest numbers.
The national average fell three cents over the week to $3.83. The slow decrease is primarily blamed on high oil costs, according to AAA.
“Oil is stubbornly staying above $90 per barrel for now, and it’s the main ingredient in gasoline,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Gas prices will likely keep falling, but it’s going to be slow and unsteady, so expect some days where it might edge higher a bit.”
The daily demand per barrel is at 8.83. While that is slightly higher than last year, it’s still below last year when demand was 8.83 b/d.
In Iowa, the highest prices were found in Adair County, where the average gas price is $3.88 as of Friday. Drivers in Henry County are paying the least on average at $3.32, according to AAA.
Among Iowa’s metropolitan areas, Iowa City has one of the state’s higher averages at $3.72. Sioux City’s average is $3.67, and drivers in Des Moines are paying an average of $3.55, AAA reported.
Iowa’s statewide average is just one cent more than its average a year ago. Its highest recorded average came in June last year when a gallon of regular unleaded gas was $4.83 and a gallon of diesel fuel was $5.39, according to AAA.
