DES MOINES – Average retail gasoline prices in Iowa have risen 4.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.35 per gallon Jan. 2, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 2,036 gas outlets in Iowa. This compares with the national average that has increased 5.6 cents per gallon in the past week to $2.34 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Iowa during the past week, prices Jan. 2 were 47.7 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 22.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average stands 35.4 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.
According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on Jan. 3 in Iowa have ranged widely over the past five years:
$1.87 per gallon in 2016, $2.06 per gallon in 2015, $3.25 per gallon in 2014, $3.14 per gallon in 2013 and $3.13 per gallon in 2012.
Areas nearby and in Iowa and their current gas price climate:
Quad Cities – $2.30 per gallon, up 7.9 cents per gallon.
Des Moines – $2.50 per gallon, up 4.0 cents per gallon.
Omaha – $2.32 per gallon, up 5.2 cents per gallon.
“In 2016, motorists spent an average $2.13 per gallon on gasoline, the cheapest yearly average since 2004, and 28 cents lower than 2015, but if motorists made a resolution to pay less in 2017, they either broke it already or aren’t planning on driving for awhile,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. “While nearly 100,000 gas stations in the country were selling for $1.99 per gallon a year ago, fewer than 3,000 are today. Though we may see rising gas prices take a brief break in early February, we’re unlikely to come anywhere close to last year’s low levels.”
“Overall, the national average price of gas stands 35 cents higher than where it was a year ago on this day and the gap is likely to continue widening. For the upcoming year, it’s not a rosy picture at the pump: GasBuddy’s 2017 Fuel Outlook, being released Jan. 4, will detail when motorists will be seeing the highest prices of the year and how many more billions we’ll spend at the pump in the year ahead,” DeHaan said.
GasBuddy yearly national averages
2017: forecast at $2.49 per gallon.
2016: $2.13 per gallon.
2015: $2.40 per gallon.
2014: $3.34 per gallon.
2013: $3.49 per gallon.
2012: $3.61 per gallon.
2011: $3.51 per gallon.
2010: $2.77 per gallon.
2009: $2.33 per gallon.
2008: $3.23 per gallon.
2007: $2.79 per gallon.
2006: $2.55 per gallon.
2005: $2.25 per gallon.
2004: $1.83 per gallon.
For live fuel price averages, visit fuelinsights.gasbuddy.com.
About GasBuddy
GasBuddy is the technology company changing the way more than 60 million consumers find, purchase and save money on gasoline. Founded in 2000, the original GasBuddy website was a pioneer in crowd-sourced information, leveraging technology, big data and a passionate community that now connects more than 60 million users with real-time, accurate fuel-pricing information as well as reliable reviews of gas station amenities and services. The app and website have the most accurate and real-time fuel prices at more than 140,000 unique stations in the United States, Canada and Australia and is the most comprehensive money-saving companion while on the road. GasBuddy is available on all mobile platforms. For more information, visit www.gasbuddy.com.