Gas prices went up throughout the state last week, and they went up the most in the Santa Fe area.Â
That's according to AAA New Mexico Weekend Gas Watch, which said the average price for a gallon of gas in the Santa Fe area increased 12 cents to $3.24. Statewide, the average jumped 2 cents to $3.24.Â
While an increase locally and statewide, the averages announced by AAA on Thursday are still a major decrease from a year ago when a gallon of gas in New Mexico averaged $3.44 and $3.52 in the Santa Fe area. Two years ago in June, a gallon of gas was $4.89 in town — a record high.Â
But prices last week are a jump from decreases in the past two weeks, when the Santa Fe area was averaging the lowest prices in the state, according to AAA.Â
Meanwhile, Las Cruces last week was also averaging $3.24. Albuquerque had the highest average at $3.27, and Farmington was averaging $3.26, according to AAA.Â
The national average stood at $3.49, an 8-cent decrease.Â
Daniel Armbruster, a AAA spokesman, said in a news release Thursday that while gas prices increased week over week in the state, "there are market indicators that prices could soon reverse course."
He said prices of crude oil — which makes up 50% to 60% of the cost of each gallon of fuel — have dropped since the start of June. For example, he said, West Texas Intermediate — one of three oil benchmarks — was trading at $73 per barrel last week, down from $79 at the end of May.
That will likely mean positive signs for pricing over the summer months.Â
"Filling up for a summer road trip will cost a little less this year," Armbruster said.
