Las Vegas Gas Prices: Everything You Need To Know
Photo by Julian Paefgen on Unsplash
Las Vegas might be one of the most popular destinations in the United States, but travelers visiting right now might be surprised by something residents already know: Las Vegas gas prices are higher than average, and higher even than they normally would be in the city that never sleeps.
Of course, there are a lot of reasons for gas prices to be trending higher right now, and a lot of people are already feeling the pinch in their pocketbooks.
We’re going to look at why Las Vegas gas prices are trending higher than normal, whether gas prices are likely to keep going up, and what you can do to try and save a little at the pump.
What Are Las Vegas Gas Prices?
According to AAA Nevada’s average gas prices are $5.248 today. If you’re looking at Las Vegas, prices might be a little higher or a little lower depending on the time of day and which retailer you’re looking at.
Of course, with Las Vegas gas prices as volatile as they have been lately, those prices are probably only good for a day or two before you’re likely to see noticeable price changes.
Also according to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas is only $4.246, so Nevada is almost a dollar higher than the national average right now.
According to Review-Journal, and using prices that are already a little out of date by today’s averages, Nevada has seen a sharp increase in gas prices in the last money. About 32% higher in a month.
That’s a huge jump, even for a market as notoriously volatile as gas.
But why are Nevada, and Las Vegas, getting hit so much harder than other parts of the country?
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Why Are Las Vegas (and Nevada) Gas Prices High?
There are a few different reasons that Las Vegas gas prices are starting to look more like what you would expect to see in California or Europe, and are significantly higher than the U.S. average.
One of the main reasons is that Las Vegas is a bit further from oil production and gas manufacturing than other parts of the United States. That increased distance from production centers means that retailers are paying a little extra to transport gas to their stores, and the cost gets passed on to the customer.
Add to the increased travel cost the fact that transporting gas takes, well, more gas, and you have a recipe for increasing prices. When gas prices go up, so does the price of transporting gas, which then also drives the price further up.
Normally prices are limited by companies wanting to stay competitive, and while that’s happening a bit right now, most companies have similarly high prices and aren’t using pricing as their main means of competition.
Basically, gas producers can afford to pass on the extra costs for gas right now and don’t have enough of a reason to reduce their own profits and keep prices low.
Another big factor is the war in Ukraine. Because Russia is a major oil producer, and the United States isn’t buying oil or gas from them right now, gas prices are higher.
There are a few reasons gas prices went up right away. For one thing, manufacturers are trying to protect themselves in case the price of oil goes up significantly, especially if they get governmental pressure to keep prices down at the same time.
That’s not an unheard-of scenario, especially since Democrats are looking at a difficult midterm election and gas is often an important sticking point during election years.
The last important factor to consider is that Las Vegas is switching to Summer-mix gas, which is always more expensive than Winter-mix, because of the added cost of additives that make the fuel more stable in the increased heat.
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Are Las Vegas Gas Prices Likely To Stay High?
Unfortunately, there’s not a clear answer to this one. In the short term, so long as the war in Ukraine continues gas prices are likely to be higher. Long term, oil and gas production is likely to ramp up here in the United States and in other parts of the world to help cover the costs.
But that doesn’t mean gas prices will go down right away, even once production rises to help meet demand. So long as gas companies aren’t under pressure to lower gas prices, or until at least one company does lower prices and make the other compete, they might not feel like they need to lower prices.
Gas prices are also reasonably likely to stay higher in Las Vegas because the transportation and temperature concerns aren’t going to go away.
That said, will Las Vegas gas prices stay a full dollar higher than national averages? It’s hard to say, but likely not
How Can You Save On Las Vegas Gas Prices?
The unfortunate truth is that there aren’t a lot of methods to save a significant amount of money on your gas. Joining store memberships and gas rewards programs are a good option for getting consistent discounts on your gas.
Still, these tips are good for saving at least a few pennies per tank, and that adds up over time.
Keep Your Vehicle In Top Working Condition
One of the things you can do to help protect fuel efficiency and keep your gas prices more reasonable is to keep your vehicle in top working condition. It’s important to make sure your going in for all-important maintenance milestones, and get any important systems checked occasionally, even when things seem to be working, to make sure you aren’t losing gas because of a malfunctioning system.
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Don’t Open Your Windows Or Moonroof
This trick might seem counterintuitive since an open window can help beat the heat, and running AC is energy-intensive, but it’s actually one of the most important ways to help keep your summer gas bills lower.
That’s because when you open your window or moonroof you’re reducing the aerodynamic properties of your vehicle, and also introducing a lot of drag that will slow your vehicle down and make it work a lot harder to maintain speeds.
Plan Your Driving Routes For Maximum Efficiency
Another important trick is to get the most use out of every drop of gas that you can manage. If you’re going out driving, it’s worth taking a look at your map or a navigational tool to see what the fastest and most efficient route will be.
More importantly, trying to accomplish multiple tasks per trip (other than commuting for work if commuting and running errands isn’t a good option) will also help stretch your fuel. Try to plan multiple stops per trip, and use the most efficient route to and from different locations.
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