SALT LAKE CITY — Utah drivers are paying about 15 cents more for a gallon of gas than they were just a week ago. And while there are many possible reasons for the increase, local price watchers say don't blame the unrest in Egypt.
Nationally, some are worried trouble in Egypt could increase prices by affecting travel along the Suez Canal. But others see international demand as the big factor.
Whatever the cause, some Utah drivers are not happy.
"Twenty bucks for six gallons; that's not even going to give me like a quarter of a tank," said Breanna Fullerton of West Valley City. "It's ridiculous. I need another job so I can pay for this stuff."
"It doesn't make you happy because it's going to affect food, it's going to affect produce, it's going to affect the trucks that come in and give the products to distributors — and that's going to affect the bottom line at the grocery store," said Candas Seedall of Salt Lake City.
Here's the unhappy curve: After months of relatively low prices — the lowest in the nation — Utah's prices have jumped about 25 cents in the past two weeks. The average is nearly $3 for a gallon of regular.
"We're still in the lower tier across the country, but this is a typical pattern for us: very low in January, and then we move up this time of year," said Rolayne Fairclough, spokeswoman for AAA of Utah.
Things could be worse. Drivers in 39 states are paying more than drivers in Utah.
E-mail: hollenhorst@desnews.com