Gas prices in Missoula have started to rise and that is a trend that will likely continue during the coming months. Patrick DeHaan is the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy and he said he wasn’t at all surprised by the recent increase.
“The price of oil has really accelerated since early November when prices were 35 or 40 dollars per barrel, now we are sitting pretty at 53 dollars per barrel,” DeHaan said. “That sent gas prices up virtually nationwide. Average gas prices nationally are coming in at $2.41 per gallon, which is the highest level since the pandemic started. Montana prices are up six cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.28 per gallon. There are no more sub two dollar prices across the state.”
According to DeHaan, prices are on the rise because of the perceived improvement in the COVID-19 pandemic.