DES MOINES (KWWL) -
Average retail gasoline prices in Iowa have climbing almost a dime a gallon in the past week, now averaging $3.55 in the state. The national average has experienced a similar climb, but it now averages $3.60 a gallon, according to gasoline price website IowaStateGasPrices.com.
Despite this spike, prices are 7.6 cents per gallon lower than this same day one year ago, but are 17 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 19.1 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 6.5 cents per gallon lower than this day last year.
"Watching the national average last week, one might have expected war broke out in the Middle East or a major hurricane shutting down production, neither of which happened, yet gasoline prices spiked," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. "The scary thought is what may happen to gasoline prices should one of the two actually take place. The Great Lakes was hosed with refinery issues and a major oil pipeline issue, and while other regions saw increases, they paled in comparison to those in the Great Lakes states. The good news for motorists is that the end to the summer driving season and change to winter-spec fuel is in view, which will likely put downward pressure on gasoline prices."
