Gas Prices Increase Slightly During Week

Average gasoline prices in Montana have risen 1.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.13/g on Monday, April 28, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 615 stations in Montana. Prices in Montana are 3.1 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 40.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Montana was priced at $2.95/g on Sunday, April 27, while the most expensive was $3.64/g, a difference of 69.0 cents per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline is unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.10/g on Monday. The national average is down 3.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 52.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to Gas-Buddy.

“Average gasoline prices in the U.S. have been volatile over the past week, with roughly half of the 50 states seeing prices decline while the other half experienced increases,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Oil prices, which had fallen into the $50 per barrel range at the height of Trump’s trade war, have since rallied and are now holding in the low $60s, leading to rising gas prices in some states. For now, I expect the national average to bounce around in the $3.10 to $3.20 per gallon range over the coming week, with a continued mixed bag for consumers—about half of the states may see prices inch lower, while the other half could experience increases. We’ll be watching for any market developments, but for now, the market appears to be in a holding pattern.”