Gas Prices In Iowa Show Mixed Weekly Moves as Surveys Diverge
Two recent sets of weekly data offer opposing snapshots of gas prices in iowa, creating uncertainty for drivers weighing the direction of pump costs this week. One dataset shows an 8. 6-cent rise in the statewide average to $2. 55 per gallon, while a separate weekly survey finds a 9-cent decline to $2. 45 per gallon.
Gas Prices In Iowa Trends
The contrasting figures reflect different price samples and measurement methods used in the recent coverage. The dataset showing the increase cites an 8. 6-cent weekly gain and places the statewide average at $2. 55; it also notes that the statewide average is 3 cents lower than a month ago and 41. 9 cents lower than a year earlier. That same set of station-level reports identified a cheapest retail price of $2. 09 on Sunday and a most-expensive listing of $4. 11, a spread of $2. 02 between the lowest and highest station prices recorded in the data.
Statewide averages and extremes
The alternate weekly survey produced a different headline: a 9-cent decline in the statewide average, leaving regular unleaded at $2. 45 per gallon and 57 cents cheaper than a year earlier under that measure. These two snapshots also differ on the national average: one set of data places the national gasoline average at $2. 88 per gallon, while the other puts it at $2. 92 per gallon on the week in question.
Diesel and heating fuel movements
Diesel figures diverge as well. One dataset shows diesel up 6. 2 cents from the prior week to $3. 69 per gallon. The other finds retail diesel in the state down 5 cents to $3. 40 per gallon and notes that this statewide diesel level sits below last year’s statewide average of $3. 44 but above a cited national diesel average of $3. 67. Heating-fuel measures in the second dataset showed mixed movement: the natural gas benchmark fell 19 cents to $2. 96 per million British thermal units, propane averaged $1. 63 per gallon in the state, and home heating oil held a statewide average of $2. 94 per gallon.
Crude benchmarks and supply notes
The two lines of coverage point to different market drivers. One set of analysis links rising pump averages to crude oil trading near its highest level since last summer and notes mounting geopolitical risk premiums tied to tensions between the United States and Iran, plus localized supply constraints such as refinery outages and pipeline disruptions. The other set highlights that global crude benchmarks eased on the week, with West Texas Intermediate falling and Brent crude also moving lower, which coincided with the reported decline in retail pump prices in its survey.
Near-term outlook for drivers
Observers in the recent coverage caution that the near-term direction of retail gasoline will depend on observable indicators: crude oil prices, the extent of planned refinery maintenance, and any further localized supply disruptions. Coverage noted that if crude stays elevated and planned maintenance tightens seasonal supply, the national average could retest the $3-per-gallon threshold. Absent further changes in those indicators, the two surveys suggest drivers may see either modest relief or modest increases depending on which price sample most closely matches local retail conditions.
Key takeaways:
- One weekly price dataset shows an 8. 6-cent rise to $2. 55; another shows a 9-cent drop to $2. 45.
- Diesel readings and national averages differ across surveys, reflecting sample and timing differences.
- Crude prices and refinery/supply developments will determine whether pumps tighten toward $3. 00 or remain below that level.
