Gas prices hit 13-month high in North Dakota

FARGO — On Monday, Sept. 11, the average price for a gallon of gas in the state of North Dakota was over $4, a 13-month high.

Prices are higher on the western side of the state than the eastern side, but prices in Fargo remain high, averaging around $3.75 a gallon.

Prices from station to station vary quite a bit in Fargo. A WDAY News crew spotted different gas stations selling gas for $3.99 a gallon, $3.79 a gallon, and as low as $3.44 a gallon.

AAA director of public affairs Gene LaDoucer said the spread in prices should narrow soon.

“It’s not unusual to see a 40 or 50-cent spread in prices, at least for a few days,” LaDoucer said.

He pointed to reports of refinery maintenance issues in Minnesota and Oklahoma causing concerns over supply as one of the culprits for the late-season surge, along with the upcoming transition period of swapping between summer to winter fuel blends, and the high price of oil in general.

“That uncertainty leads to higher gasoline prices,” he said. “That’s what we’re seeing.”

As we enter the fall and winter months, he said all signs point to the costs going down, consistent with trends seen year after year.

Thomas Figueroa just moved to Fargo-Moorhead over the summer from Phoenix. He said under $4 a gallon is nothing compared to what he’s used too.

“The last couple of years we saw prices go over $5 a gallon,” Figueroa said. “I went to California on a trip and saw gas as high as $7 a gallon. So honestly I’m thankful to come back here and see it under four.”

Still, he said he wouldn’t mind saving a few bucks at the pump.

“I would love to see it lower,” Figueroa said. “I think everyone would.”

LaDoucer said hopefully that will come soon, but he doesn’t have a crystal ball.

“This current issue that we’re seeing within the last week should be relatively short lived,” LaDoucer said. “Hopefully, for the consumers sake, the prices will come down relatively quickly.”

Mike McGurran has been a reporter and anchor at WDAY-TV since 2021.