State Gas Prices Averaging 32 Cents Higher Than National Average
DENVER (CBS4) - Labor Day weekend drivers paid some of the lowest gas prices since 2004.
According to AAA, on Sept. 7 the national average for a gallon of gas was $2.39.
But Colorado is a different story: Metro Denver drivers are paying $2.71.
"You know nowadays everything is higher in Denver," driver Nicole VanDoren said. She commutes to work and gas prices are something she closely watches.
"It always just seems very high to me."
AAA is not exactly sure why Colorado gas prices are so much higher than the national average, but in mid-August oil refinery problems in the Midwest caused prices to quickly spike in some parts of the country. The company adds that prices have been falling across the board ever since.
Although higher than the national average, gas prices are still far below Denver's record gas price of $4 a gallon in 2008.
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"That was a tough time for the wallet," driver Peter Grano said as he filled up his truck at a gas station near downtown Denver on Monday. "It would cost me $10 to $15 to go across town. It was unbelievable."
Grano recently bought a more fuel efficient truck in response.
"I was getting 9 to 10 mph in a big truck, so I bought this one and I get like $25 to the gallon."
Alaska drivers are paying the highest for gas at $3.40. South Carolina is the cheapest at $1.94.
AAA analysts believe that if crude oil prices remain low, gas prices across the country could drop to less than $2 by the holiday season.
Mark Taylor is a weekend morning anchor and reporter with CBS4 news covering a wide variety of stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkTaylor_TV.