BOISE, ID — Idaho motorists are heading into the heart of the holiday season with a welcome surprise at the pump, as the state’s average price for regular gasoline continues to slide. According to AAA Idaho, the Gem State average dropped 12 cents over the past week, landing at $3.11 per gallon—21 cents less than a month ago. While prices remain eight cents higher than this time last year, the trend is moving in a direction many drivers hoped for.

Nationally, the average now sits at $2.95 per gallon, with 36 states recording prices at or below $3. Idaho currently ranks 11th most expensive in the nation, falling out of the top 10 for the first time in several months.

AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde said the shift is arriving at the perfect moment. “It’s pretty exciting to see the state average approaching $3, and several cities in our state could drop below that mark soon,” he said. “As families embark on holiday trips and shopping sprees, the timing of cheaper fuel couldn’t be better.”

Crude oil prices are also contributing to the downward push. West Texas Intermediate is currently trading at $59 per barrel—nearly identical to last month and about $9 below last year’s price. The Energy Information Administration reports gasoline supplies have grown by five million barrels, with crude oil stocks up another 600,000 barrels. At the same time, gasoline demand has dipped by more than 100,000 barrels per day. Together, these shifts are likely to exert continued downward pressure on pump prices in the coming days.

As of December 8, several Idaho communities are already approaching or dipping below the $3 threshold. Coeur d’Alene and Franklin both sit at $2.99, with other cities hovering just above the benchmark.

AAA Idaho encourages drivers planning holiday travel to monitor local fuel prices using the AAA Fuel Price Finder and other available resources.