Drivers should expect to pay the highest Labor Day weekend gas prices ever in the Las Vegas Valley, as prices continue to increase nationwide.
The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in the valley was $4.90 a gallon on Thursday, up 10 cents a gallon over last week and $1.06 higher than the same day a year ago, according to AAA. Nevada’s statewide average price was $4.91 a gallon, also up 10 cents in the last week and 98 cents over the last year.
The Silver State’s gasoline price spike is following the national trend but at a higher rate, with the national average of $4.14 a gallon, up 4 cents from last week and 95 cents higher than the same day last year. That price is well above the current national Labor Day record of $3.82 a gallon, set on September 3, 2012, AAA said.
Diesel prices were at $6.08 a gallon in the valley on Thursday, up 24 cents from last week and $2.17 from one year ago. Nationally, the average cost for diesel was $5.78 a gallon on Thursday, up 17 cents from last week and $2.08 from one year ago.
The increased cost for gas can be attributed to the continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, which has sent crude oil prices to $90 per barrel, according to Doug Johnson, AAA Mountain West Group spokesperson.
“After a record-setting August, this Labor Day weekend is on track to also set a record at the pump,” Johnson said. “The national average has never been above $4 per gallon on Labor Day.”
Despite gasoline demand generally decreasing this time of year, which usually helps lower gas prices, this year is bucking that trend due to the high cost of crude oil, according to AAA.
Despite the high gas prices Las Vegas is expected to be a hot spot for visitors this holiday weekend, with many of them traveling to Southern Nevada via Southern California.
As is usually the case, the heaviest traffic congestion is expected on Labor Day on Interstate 15 as travelers head back to California, according to the Regional Transportation Commission. The RTC urges motorists to avoid I-15 southbound at the Nevada-California state line between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.
