Hike in Area Gas Prices Expected Soon

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The average retail price of a gallon of gasoline in North Dakota has dropped further below $2.

GasBuddy.com reports that the average price in the state has fallen more than 2 cents over the past week, to $1.97 per gallon. The national average is $2.02 per gallon.

Prices in North Dakota are 42 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and nearly $1.25 lower than a year ago.

GasBuddy Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says motorists should expect prices to start rising soon. He says refineries have been producing less gas, and there will soon be a seasonal rise in prices as refineries do maintenance and shift to summer blends. DeHaan says last year's seasonal rise began the second week of February and lasted until early May.