BOISE, ID — Idaho drivers woke up to another sharp spike in fuel prices Tuesday, with the statewide average for regular gasoline rising 10 cents overnight to $4.96 per gallon, according to AAA Idaho. The jump pushed the average 14 cents higher than a week ago, 47 cents above last month and $1.44 above the same time last year.
Several of the state’s bigger cities also crossed the $5 threshold, adding pressure for commuters, delivery drivers and businesses that rely on daily travel. Boise, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Twin Falls all posted average prices at or above that mark, while diesel climbed to its highest average level ever recorded by AAA in Idaho.
Boise and Idaho Falls lead the latest increases
AAA’s city-by-city breakdown showed Boise with the steepest local average among the cities listed at $5.04, up 17 cents overnight. Idaho Falls followed with an average of $4.84, a 16-cent increase from Monday. Pocatello came in at $4.86, also up 16 cents, while Twin Falls averaged $4.95 after a 7-cent rise.
Rexburg saw a 10-cent increase to $4.93, and Franklin climbed 10 cents to $4.78. Coeur d’Alene stayed unchanged at $4.63, and Lewiston ticked up just a penny to $4.63. Those numbers show how quickly prices are moving in different parts of the state, even as the broader average keeps rising.
Diesel hits a record high for AAA’s Idaho tracking
Regular gasoline was not the only fuel seeing unusual pressure. AAA Idaho said the statewide average price for diesel surged to $6.59 on Tuesday, which the organization described as the highest average price it has ever recorded in the state.
That matters well beyond truck stops. Diesel costs can ripple through shipping, agriculture and other industries that move goods or equipment across Idaho. When those costs rise quickly, businesses often have to absorb the hit or pass it along in higher prices for consumers.
AAA points to global conflict and crude oil pressure
AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde said the latest increase is tied to the same basic forces that have been pushing fuel higher, only with more severe effects. In a press release, he said global conflict continues to pressure crude oil markets, and that pressure spreads through the refining process to the fuel drivers buy at the pump.
Conde called the price jumps “simply shocking,” reflecting how abruptly the market has changed. Idaho’s average for regular gas is now 10 cents above Monday’s level, and the quick move adds to a pattern of steady increases that has continued over the past week and month.
Crude prices have eased, but consumer relief is not here yet
Even with the recent jump at the pump, the benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude price was trading near $91 per barrel, down nearly $10 from late last week, according to AAA Idaho’s release. That drop suggests the market has been volatile in both directions, but it has not yet translated into lower prices for Idaho motorists.
Conde warned that short-term instability could continue, meaning drivers may still see sharp movements before prices settle. For households already facing higher transportation costs, that kind of volatility can make weekly budgets harder to predict.
AAA urges drivers to buy the right fuel grade
Along with tracking the increases, AAA Idaho offered a reminder for drivers trying to save money at the pump. Conde said motorists should follow the fuel-grade requirements in their owner’s manuals instead of assuming premium gas is a better choice for everyday driving.
He said some drivers buy higher-grade gasoline because they think they are giving their vehicle a “treat,” but that practice can mean spending extra money for only a marginal benefit. AAA’s advice is aimed at helping consumers avoid unnecessary fuel costs while prices remain high and unstable.
How Idaho’s main city averages compare right now
Tuesday morning’s snapshot from AAA showed a wide range across Idaho’s larger communities. Boise stood at $5.04, Idaho Falls at $4.84, Pocatello at $4.86 and Twin Falls at $4.95, all reflecting strong upward movement in just one day.
Other city averages remained lower but still elevated by recent standards, including Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston at $4.63, Franklin at $4.78 and Rexburg at $4.93. AAA’s Fuel Price Finder and its gas price website provide more location-specific updates for drivers who want to check conditions before filling up.
Local news that matters, from Dulaney Griffin.
