Labor Day Gas, Diesel Prices Set New Records

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - For the first time this year, Montana gas prices haven't changed. Patrick De Haan is the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, and he provided the current numbers.                   

“Average gasoline prices in Montana are unchanged in the last week, averaging $4.38 per gallon today,” De Haan said. “Prices in Montana are 13.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand $1.14 per gallon higher than a year ago."                              

As of Tuesday morning, the two stations at the corner of Reserve and Mullan in Missoula were charging $4.29. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Montana was priced at $3.98 per gallon yesterday, while the most expensive was $5.09 per gallon.       

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Montana is currently ranked 9th in the U.S. when it comes to the average price of gas, which is the same as last week.                     

"The national average price of gasoline has risen 2.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.09 per gallon today,” De Haan said. “The national average is up 10.6 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 90.8 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 29.7 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $5.87 per gallon.”                

READ MORE: Average Gas Prices on Labor Day Could Be the Highest Ever 

De Haan said average gasoline prices rose in nearly three out of five states over the last week, while diesel surged in every state, with some climbing nearly 50 cents per gallon in just seven days. 

"The milestone many hoped to avoid has arrived: the national average price of gasoline on Labor Day set a new all-time record for the holiday, eclipsing the previous mark of $3.83 per gallon set in 2012. Diesel's record fell as well, with the national average reaching $5.87 per gallon on September 3, surpassing the prior all-time high of $5.82 per gallon set in 2022 — and with $6 per gallon now a realistic possibility in the weeks ahead if Ukraine's continued attacks on Russian refining infrastructure keep knocking capacity offline." 

De Haan said these are sobering milestones, and until the global refining supply picture meaningfully improves, both diesel prices face continued upward pressure while gasoline may seasonally slow in the weeks ahead.