As the snow, sleet and rain fall on Iowa, gasoline prices are also falling. That’s welcome news if you need to fill the gas can for your snowblower. Gail Weinholzer, spokeswoman for Triple-A-Iowa, says we’re finally seeing some relief at the pumps after several weeks of climbing or steady prices.
“Iowa drivers are experiencing considerably lower prices than the national average,” Weinholzer says. “The national average is just over $3.51 a gallon and Iowa’s average is $3.40 and I understand some areas are even below that.”
Prices in the Des Moines metro area are considerably lower, averaging $3.29. Most refineries have shifted their fuel production to the summer blends, away from the more expensive winter blends.
“We expect prices as result to begin to decline even more as we head into the summer driving season,” Weinholzer says. “We do expect summer prices in Iowa to average between $3.20 and $3.40, depending upon, of course, other poltical and environmental factors.”
While Iowa’s cheapest gas is in Des Moines, the most expensive average price is in Waterloo, reporting $3.48. Waterloo’s highest-ever price came almost two years ago at $4.00 on May 8th, 2011.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City