BOISE – The crude oil market continues to face immense pressure due to tensions in the Middle East, driving pump prices higher here at home.
As oil tankers struggle to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, a new source of conflict has emerged as the Houthis in Yemen attempt to block Saudi Arabian oil shipments through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Saudi Arabia does have the possibility of sending oil shipments through the Mediterranean Sea, an alternate route that some experts say could triple the time for tankers to reach their destination.
“The memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran that briefly calmed the crude oil market is no longer in effect, which adds more uncertainty to the equation,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “In the short term, we could see more expensive crude and a period of higher prices at the pump.”
The West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude is currently trading near $88 per barrel, up from about $70 per barrel just one month ago. Oil prices could fluctuate this week as the market attempts to predict how future supplies will be affected by the conflict.
According to AAA, today’s average price for a gallon of regular in the Gem State is $4.23 – 18 cents more than a week ago, three cents more than a month ago, and 75 cents more than a year ago.
The national average currently sits at $4.10 per gallon, which is 12 cents more than a week ago, 18 cents more than a month ago, and 94 cents more than a year ago. Idaho now ranks 12th in the U.S. for the most expensive gas.
Here’s a look at Idaho gas prices as of 7/24/26:
- Boise – $4.22
- Coeur d’Alene -$4.16
- Franklin – $4.15
- Idaho Falls – $4.18
- Lewiston – $4.18
- Pocatello – $4.19
- Rexburg – $4.19
- Twin Falls – $4.17