(The Center Square) – Gas prices are slowly trending down in Minnesota after climbing sharply since the conflict broke out in Iran in February.
Tuesday’s average price for regular unleaded in the state is $4.29 per gallon, below the national average of $4.49. Prices have edged down slightly from $4.31 yesterday and $4.40 a week ago.
Despite the recent decline, drivers are still paying more than $1.20 more per gallon compared to this time last year, when the average was $3.03.
Mid-grade fuel is averaging $4.73 per gallon, while premium stands at $5.22. Diesel, which has seen some of the steepest increases in recent months, is currently averaging $5.32 per gallon – up more than 55% from the diesel average of $3.43 a year ago, according to AAA.
While experts are predicting continued relief for Minnesotans at the pump in the coming weeks, prices remain elevated compared to just a month ago, when regular unleaded averaged $3.78 per gallon.
As Minnesotans join millions of Americans hitting the road this summer, prices are still expected to remain elevated.
“With gasoline demand on the rise and the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, pump prices are likely to remain elevated as the summer travel season gets underway,” AAA reported.
Nationally, California has the nation’s highest average gas prices at $6.11 per gallon, while Indiana has the lowest at $3.89.
Minnesota is faring comparably to most of its neighboring states, though Wisconsin is trending slightly higher at $4.36 per gallon for regular unleaded. On the flip side, North Dakota is doing better than Minnesota, at $4.15 per gallon for regular unleaded.
Within Minnesota, Dodge County is the most expensive at an average of $4.50, while Crow Wing is doing the best at $4. That is a $0.50 spread across the state.