Nevadans getting nickel-and-dimed as gas prices climb

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Tuesday, April 8, 2014 | 1 p.m.

The temperature isn’t all that’s rising across Nevada this spring; AAA reports gasoline prices are up more than a dime a gallon since March.

The average cost for a gallon of gas in the Silver State is $3.62 today, up 12 cents from a month ago, according to AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report. Despite the monthly increase, prices were well below the $3.75 per-gallon average from April 2013.

AAA attributed the rising prices this spring to seasonal impacts and increased demand.

“There is a reason why we typically see gas prices rise as the weather becomes warmer. Each spring, refiners must start producing their summer-blend gasoline by May 1, and that process is well underway,” said Rolayne Fairclough, AAA Nevada spokesperson. “Additional additives are put into to the gasoline to make it burn properly, so that it will meet clean-air standards. The cost of those additives is passed on to the consumer.”

Additionally, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said demand for gas two weeks ago was at a three-month high in the United States.

Prices in the Las Vegas Valley are among the least expensive in Nevada and represent a bargain compared to gas sold in Los Angeles. The average per-gallon price for regular unleaded gas is $3.54 in North Las Vegas, $3.55 in Las Vegas and $3.56 in Henderson, according to AAA. Meanwhile the average was $3.85 in Reno, $3.83 in Spark, $3.67 in Carson City and $3.64 in Elko. The increases over last month run from a nickel a gallon in Elko to 13 cents a gallon in Las Vegas.

Filling up in Los Angeles runs an average of $4.13 per gallon.

The state with the highest price tracked in the AAA survey was Hawaii, $4.23 per gallon. The lowest was Montana, $3.29.

The average price nationally is $3.59, up 10 cents from a month ago. That’s also the highest price in nearly six months but still the same a year ago, according to AAA.