Sept. 2 – Despite optimistic predictions that New Mexico residents would pay less for gas this Labor Day, travelers were disappointed by a last-minute increase before the busy weekend.
On Thursday, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel in the state was $3.29, up 9 cents from the previous week, according to the AAA New Mexico Weekend Gas Watch. Despite the increase, the average cost in the state was 50 cents lower than the cost leading up to Labor Day weekend last year.
The Santa Fe area saw the largest week-over-week increase of any major metropolitan area in New Mexico. Heading into Labor Day weekend, the area spent an average of $3.36, 22 cents more per gallon than the previous week’s cost. Albuquerque saw a 20-cent increase, paying 3 cents more at $3.39.
Motorists in Farmington paid the most at the pump, with an average price of $3.41, while motorists in Las Cruces paid the least, at $3.28 per gallon.
“While there is still some potential for volatility due to holiday travel demand, fuel prices are expected to trend downward beginning in September,” AAA New Mexico spokesman Daniel Armbruster said in a statement.
