Gas Prices In Stillwater Area Inch Closer To $4 Per Gallon

STILLWATER, MN — Gas prices are surging in the Stillwater area as the national average hovers just below $4 per gallon for the first time in more than a decade — and analysts expect it to hit $4 soon.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Washington County was $3.69 on Friday, according to AAA, slightly lower than the national average of $3.84.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has roiled the oil market, causing the global price of oil to spike and leading to higher pump prices in the United States, according to AAA. Gas prices have soared 18 cents since Wednesday and 29 cents since the invasion of Ukraine eight days ago, according to a CNN report.

Devil’s Advocate Serving Up Pizza, Pasta At New Stillwater Spot

The increases mark the largest price hikes since Hurricane Katrina hit the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005, devastating the nation's oil and gas industry, according to CNN.

With prices rising at such a rapid pace, a national average of $4 a gallon will probably be reached soon, analysts say.

"This is not the end of it. We're already up another 14 cents on wholesale gas prices this morning," Tom Kloza, a global petroleum analyst, told CNN on Friday. "It's absolutely out of control.”

Teacher Salaries In MN: Where Stillwater Schools Rank

The price of a gallon of gas varies dramatically based on where you live. In California, the average price for a gallon of gas hit a staggering $5.07 on Friday, according to AAA, making it the first state ever to have an average price above $5 a gallon.

Meanwhile, if you live in Arkansas, a gallon of gas is only $3.45.

Overall, gas prices are up more than $1 from this time last year, according to GasBuddy.com.

RECENT NEWS:

• Stillwater High Teacher Josiah Hill Running For MN House Seat
• Progressive Launches Campaign For Stillwater-Area MN House Seat
• Mask Mandate Ends At Washington County Courthouse, Offices
• Bring Back Herberger’s, Esteban’s: Locals Pine For Old Haunts