Gasoline prices in Southern Nevada are expected to rise significantly due to issues with oil refineries in California and the transition from winter to summer gasoline blends. Las Vegas, which relies heavily on gasoline from California, has already seen a noticeable increase in gas prices, with further hikes expected in the coming weeks.
Currently, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Las Vegas is $3.84, up from recent weeks. In Nevada, the average is slightly lower at $3.81. These prices are among the highest in the country, with only California, Hawaii, and Washington experiencing higher averages.
Patrick De Haan from GasBuddy predicts that prices could increase by 15 to 40 cents per gallon in the next few weeks due to rising wholesale prices. Despite the expected surge, Las Vegas may not see as dramatic an increase as California due to a later transition to summer gasoline blends.
Typically, gas prices rise from mid-February to mid-April due to the seasonal blend change, but this year’s refinery issues are exacerbating the situation. Prices might exceed $4 per gallon in Las Vegas by next month. However, if California resolves its refinery problems, prices could begin to decline around May, with a slow downward trend expected by Memorial Day. De Haan anticipates that Las Vegas gas prices will remain above $4 per gallon for much of the summer, similar to last year.
