Idaho Gas Prices Hit $4.46 Per Gallon, Up More Than $1 From Last Year
Bonner County Drivers Paying Above State Average at the Pump
Idaho motorists are feeling the pinch at the fuel pump as gas prices across the Gem State continue to climb, with the statewide average reaching $4.46 per gallon for regular unleaded as of Monday, May 5, according to AAA. That figure represents a 13-cent increase from just one week ago, a 20-cent jump from a month ago, and a striking $1.17-per-gallon increase compared to this same time last year.
North Idaho residents are facing some of the steepest prices in the state. In Bonner County, drivers are paying an average of just over $4.55 per gallon of unleaded gasoline — nearly a dime above the statewide average. Neighboring Boundary County is seeing even higher prices, averaging just under $4.73 per gallon, among the highest reported in any Idaho county this week.
Other North Idaho counties are similarly elevated. Shoshone County is averaging just under $4.69 per gallon, while Benewah County sits at just over $4.54. In the Coeur d’Alene area, prices ranged from a low of approximately $4.30 to a high of around $4.60, offering some variation for drivers willing to shop around.
Crude Oil Prices and Global Uncertainty Drive the Surge
AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde pointed to ongoing international instability as the primary driver behind the price spike. “Geopolitical turmoil is still at the heart of the matter, driving up the cost of crude oil and, in turn, gas prices,” Conde said in remarks released by AAA. “The continued uncertainty could make the market pretty jumpy in the short term.”
The West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude oil is currently trading near $106 per barrel — an increase of nearly $50 per barrel compared to one year ago. AAA notes that while there are no domestic crude oil shortages in the United States, global supply fears are pushing costs higher across all markets, hitting consumers at the pump regardless of local supply conditions.
For Idaho families and small businesses already navigating a challenging economic environment, the sustained rise in fuel costs adds measurable pressure to household and operating budgets. The impact is felt especially in rural North Idaho communities such as Sandpoint, Priest River, Clark Fork, and Hope, where residents often travel longer distances for work, supplies, and services, making fuel costs a larger share of monthly expenses. Idaho’s ongoing small business growth trend may face headwinds if transportation and logistics costs continue to rise alongside fuel prices.
Idaho currently ranks 16th in the nation for the most expensive fuel — a slight easing from previous weeks when the state sat inside the top ten most expensive markets. The national average as of Monday also stood at $4.46 per gallon, matching Idaho’s statewide figure. On a national basis, prices are up 35 cents from a week ago, 36 cents from a month ago, and $1.29 per gallon higher than one year ago.
For context, prices in other Idaho cities as of Monday included: Boise, $4.40; Lewiston, $4.57; Pocatello, $4.41; Twin Falls, $4.42; Idaho Falls, $4.36; Rexburg, $4.32; and Franklin, $4.37. Lewiston — the closest major city to the North Idaho Panhandle region — posted the highest price among the listed cities, consistent with the broader pattern of elevated prices in the northern part of the state.
Conde urged Idaho drivers to adopt strategic habits to manage costs. “As we’ve said in recent weeks, try to think like a delivery driver,” he said. “Planning a good travel route could help stretch your fuel budget in the coming weeks.”
What Comes Next
AAA cautions that ongoing geopolitical uncertainty could keep the fuel market volatile in the near term, with prices potentially shifting week to week as global crude oil markets react to international developments. North Idaho drivers should monitor local prices closely, as Bonner and Boundary County averages have consistently tracked above both state and national figures in recent weeks. With summer travel season approaching, demand pressures could add further upward momentum to pump prices across Bonner County and the broader North Idaho Panhandle. Residents concerned about the broader economic climate in the region can find additional local context in coverage of state-funded economic development efforts aimed at supporting Idaho communities.