Gas prices down in Nevada, report says

Gas prices in Carson City have decreased on average by 7 cents to $3.02 per gallon, according to a AAA Nevada report released Tuesday.

The only cities in Nevada with cheaper gas are Elko and those in the Las Vegas area.

This month, Nevada motorists are paying 7 cents less than a month ago according to AAA Nevada, which tracks fuel prices as a service to consumers.

The average price of retail gas in Nevada is now $3.02, a 7-cent decrease from the last month's AAA survey. That ranks Nevada 11th in the country for the highest average gas price.

July and August are typically the most heavily traveled months of the year, according to AAA Nevada spokesperson Michael Geeser. The rise in demand correlates with price increase. Nevada motorists haven't seen the dramatic increases that motorists around the country have seen.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline increased to $2.97, up 7 cents from last month's survey. The most expensive unleaded gas within the continental United States is found in Blythe, Calif., where the price is $3.54 a gallon. The least expensive gas in the United States is in Columbia, S.C., where the average price is $2.72 per gallon.

Reno is at $3.09, an 11-cent decrease from last month, but a 56-cent increase over last year. This makes it the most expensive gas in Nevada, according to AAA. Las Vegas has the cheapest average price of $2.94 a gallon.

As crude oil prices rise, so does the cost of gasoline. This past week, crude oil set a new record, trading for more than $75 a barrel.

That figure has dropped a few dollars in recent days but it has still forced gas prices on the stock market to shoot up. Crude oil accounts for about half the cost of making gasoline.

On the Net

Shop for the lowest gas price: www.NevadaGasPrices.com