Summer’s end might not bring lower gas prices

By Kyle B. Hansen (contact)

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 | 1:27 p.m.

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer and is usually the end of higher gasoline prices sparked by summer travel, but this year might be an exception.

According to AAA Nevada’s monthly fuel price survey released today, some parts of the state have gas prices that are same as they were a month ago, but prices in other areas have risen as much as 15 cents per gallon.

The prices have been unstable, rising and falling throughout the month, the auto club said.

Nevada’s average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is now $2.79, which is 4 cents more than a month ago, making it the sixth highest price in the continental United States.

In Las Vegas, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline has gone up 2 cents in the past month to $2.72.

The average price in North Las Vegas is $2.71, also a 2-cent increase from the previous month; and in Henderson, the average is $2.73, the same as a month ago.

Other parts of the state saw larger increases, with the price of gas in Reno going up 6 cents to $2.90, and gas in Elko rising 15 cents, to $2.84.

“Two to 6 cents may not look like a huge increase on paper,” said Michael Geeser, spokesman for AAA Nevada, in a statement. “But when you consider that prices have actually gone up, down, and then up again in the span of four weeks, it’s clear how volatile the world of retail gas sales can be.”

Motorists might not be getting any relief at the pump despite the end of the summer travel season, but prices shouldn’t go up much more in the next few months, Geeser said.

“Demand is still relatively low and supplies are very strong. That would seem to mean gas prices won’t move much higher between now and Thanksgiving,” he said.

In the lower 48 states, California has the highest average gas price at $3.11 a gallon.

The cheapest gas in the nation is in St. Louis, Mo., where a gallon costs just $2.22.