Here’s Good News If You Buy Gasoline in Southeast Minnesota

We might be paying slightly more at the pump than a couple of years ago, but there is some good news on the way when it comes to filling up here in southeast Minnesota.

I always get a kick out of those national reports that tell us why we're going to pay more for gas-- the Big Oil companies seem to have an excuse to raise prices, no matter what time of year it is.

In the spring, prices increase due to the 'switchover to the summer driving season'-- which also increases demand. Then, in the fall, it's the 'ramp up to the winter season' that seems to increase prices. And, of course, there's the possibility of severe weather interrupting refining going on along the Gulf Coast as we enter hurricane season.

I did a little research, and according to this CSP oil and gas industry news site, there's good news: We're paying way less at the pump this year than we did in 2018 at this time. And, those gas prices should continue to fall.

Gas Buddy says the average price in Rochester right now is between $2.34 and $2.54 a gallon. Which is far less than the last week of August 2018, when we were shelling out between 20 and 30-cents more a gallon (prices last year were running between $2.67 and $2.75 a gallon here in Minnesota.) Which means we were probably paying 3 to 5 bucks more per fill-up last year as we headed up to the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

And, here's even more good news: this CSP story says our current prices are probably headed even lower in the future.  "Motorists are benefiting from more gasoline at lower prices, and also from the current economic health of their suppliers, including the nation's refiners, marketers and retailers," the story said, noting, "The price-cutting has accelerated some and may continue in coming days."

Listen to Curt St. John from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5
and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 103.9 The Doc