Gas prices slightly less in area than rest of New Mexico

Gas prices are slightly less, on average, in Curry, Roosevelt and Quay counties than in the rest of the state, according to AAA, the auto travel assistance membership organization.

According to a news release from AAA, the statewide average gas price recorded Thursday was $3.17 per gallon, up five cents per gallon from last week. According to maps on the AAA’s website, gasprices.aaa.com, Curry County prices were a little lower, averaging $3.13 per gallon; the Roosevelt County gas price average was 3.14; and Quay County’s average gas prices averaged $3.126 per gallon.

Gas prices listed Thursday on Gas Buddy, which offers gasoline price reductions when other purchases are made, showed prices ranging from $3.07 per gallon at the Pilot travel center east of Clovis, to $3.15, the price at most stations in Clovis.

A drive along Clovis streets on Thursday, however, showed that the Pilot station on Mabry posted its price at $3.15 per gallon, as did nearly every other station along Mabry Avenue and Prince Street. The only exceptions seen on the drive were the $3.08 per gallon price shown at the Stripes convenience store at 2900 Mabry, and the $3.12 per gallon price displayed at Stripes’ 3500 N. Prince location.

In Portales, the Gas Buddy map showed only one gas price, $3.15 per gallon at C&S Credit Card Express, 301 W. Second Street.

The AAA maps, however, on Thursday indicated noticeably lower average gas prices in neighboring Texas counties.

In Texas, Parmer County’s average price was $2.93 per gallon, Bailey County’s average price per gallon was $2.71, and Deaf Smith County showed an average of $2.76 per gallon.

AAA’s news release Thursday said Farmington’s prices area the highest in the state at $3.42 per gallon on average, while Albuquerque drivers pay the least at an average of $3.11 per gallon.

“The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.24, which is five cents more compared to this day last week and $1.06 more than the price per gallon at this same time last year,” AAA’s news release said.

The news release also stated gas prices may rise to reflect rising crude oil prices due to global economic uncertainties and supply chain concerns,

“Crude oil prices have been driving up the price for gasoline recently as demand for fuel products has remained strong,” AAA New Mexico spokesperson Joshua Zuber said in the news release. “However, there may be some relief on the horizon as U.S. crude stocks increased last week.”