Carson City gas prices have continued to drop despite a recent rise in crude oil prices that likely will help reverse the trend, according to AAA Nevada.
The gas club's monthly survey of prices for unleaded regular at stations throughout California and Nevada showed the average price Tuesday in Carson City was $1.63, down 11 cents from April 18.
The statewide average price was down a dime at $1.70, with Reno and Las Vegas both averaging $1.72, down 11 and 8 cents respective, AAA reported.
A Nevada Appeal survey of 10 stations showed an average price Tuesday of $1.62, down 9 cents from a similar survey four weeks earlier.
Price decreases since April at the stations in the Appeal survey ranged from 3 to 22 cents.
That largest decrease was at the Short Stop Market, 1321 North Carson St., where owner Scott Kelley switched fuel suppliers from Union 76 to Tesoro and dropped the price from $1.80 to $1.58.
The national average is $1.49, unchanged from mid-April.
In Los Angeles, prices average $1.63, according to AAA.
In northern California, prices were down 8 cents in four weeks, with the regional average at $1.73. In Utah, the average price is $1.49, down 8 cents in the same period, according to AAA.
"After hitting historic highs in early April, Nevada gas prices are coming down," said Paul Moreno, spokesman for AAA Nevada. "However, a recent rise in crude oil prices and a very busy summer travel season will soon push prices higher."
Crude oil prices are hovering around $30 a barrel, up about $5 a barrel since mid-April. Oil prices have risen as OPEC members hinted the cartel would not agree to increase production at the cartel's June 21 meeting in Vienna.
Moreno said demand for gasoline should be strong as a AAA travel survey shows a robust summer vacation season thanks to a strong economy and low unemployment for the fourth straight year.
Tuesday prices for Unleaded Regular Gas
Date April 4 April 18 May 16
Bob's Texaco 705 N. Carson 1.86 1.78 1.70
Carson City Shell 1600 N. Carson 1.89 1.80 1.70
Gas and Save 1360 South Carson 1.60 1.56 1.50
Short Stop Market 1321 N. Carson 1.87 1.80 1.58
AM-PM 720 S. Carson 1.72 1.66 1.56
AM-PM 2707 Hwy. 50 East 1.73 X X
AM-PM 1017 N. Carson X 1.66 1.58
AM-PM 4340 N. Carson 1.70 1.62 1.56
Seven-Eleven 3838 Hwy. 50 East 1.80 1.73 1.70
Seven-Eleven 3701 N. Carson 1.73 1.70 1.60
Winner's Corner 1400 Rand Ave. 1.82 1.80 1.70
Average price 1.77 1.71 1.62