$3 days are here

Gas prices across the Eagle Valley eclipsed the $3 mark on Friday and are inching toward digits last seen by cash-strapped commuters in late 2005.

For three years Mohammad Ahmad, owner of Eagle gas stations in Carson City, Gardnerville and Fallon, has been proud to say that he hasn't priced regular unleaded at $3. On Friday afternoon his prices were $2.95 for regular and $2.99 for premium. It won't stay that way.

"I thought I could get by," he said. "I was happy that I was not going to have to put $3 on my stores, but I don't have any choice today. The market went up and I have to put it up. (Saturday) I will get a delivery of regular and premium and it will cost me over $3, so I will have to put it over $3."

Ahmad will be at his computer at 6:30 a.m. to watch prices on the New York market. Analysts expect gas prices to increase up to Memorial Day, a time when many Americans will take summer road trips.

"I'm not making any money right now," he said. "We're lucky if we can get even at this moment."

Several gas station prices went above $3 Friday, including Carson City Shell.

"I'm making less profit than I was at $2.65, $2.75, $2.85," said owner Mike Miller.

Miller's gas prices from Tuesday to Thursday increased 15 cents. He's cautious about speculating on when prices will go down, or climb up, adding, "If anyone knows that, they'd be a millionaire in futures."

Gas prices are passed on to the station owner by the fuel seller. That is affected by crude oil prices and world supply and demand. Miller gets his prices nightly from his seller, Jackson Oil Co.

Carson City fuel prices won't be updated by AAA Nevada until May 16, but generally the city has lower costs than Reno, AAA spokesman Michael Geeser said Friday. The Reno average is $3 for regular.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.