Montana
Missoula Gas Prices Hold Firm While Others Increase
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – Two weeks ago, average gas prices in Montana increased for the first time in five months. Patrick De Haan is the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, and he provided the current numbers.
“Average gasoline prices in Montana have fallen 0.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.72 per gallon today,” De Haan said. “Prices in Montana are 1.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 34.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.”
As of Monday morning, most stations in Missoula still had their prices set to around $2.69 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Montana was priced at $2.52 per gallon yesterday, while the most expensive was $2.94 per gallon.
Montana is currently ranked 29th in the U.S. when it comes to the average price of gas, which is one spot higher than last week.
“The national average price of gasoline has risen 1.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.88 per gallon today,” De Haan said. “The national average is up 2.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 19.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 6.2 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.69 per gallon.”
READ MORE: Why Gas Prices in Montana are Rising This Month
De Haan said average gasoline prices continue to drift higher as crude oil trades near its highest level since last summer, driven by mounting geopolitical risk premiums tied to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.
“While there has been no direct disruption to energy infrastructure, markets are increasingly pricing in the possibility of a broader exchange that could threaten supply flows,” De Haan said. “Beyond geopolitics, we’re also seeing localized supply constraints, including refinery outages and disruptions along the Olympic Pipeline, which have amplified price pressures in the Pacific Northwest. These developments are unlikely to be isolated, as planned refinery maintenance is set to intensify in the weeks ahead. As seasonal supply tightens, the national average is increasingly likely to retest the $3-per-gallon threshold.”
LOOK: See how much gasoline cost the year you started driving
Read on to explore the cost of gas over time and rediscover just how much a gallon was when you first started driving.
Gallery Credit: Sophia Crisafulli
BILLINGS— Sponsorship of businesses on Montana highway exit signs have doubled in cost, pricing out some small business owners.
Montana Logos, which manages the signs, renegotiated its contract within the last year with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), which resulted in prices doubling for most customers. They refer to the signs as tourist-oriented directional signs (TODS).
Watch the report:
Highway ad sign costs double, pricing out Montana business owners
Transportation officials say they increased the costs to match rising costs. According to Bob Heiser, MDT Right of Way bureau chief, the department and Montana Logos have not increased costs for years.
“The contract was up for renewal this past year. And during that renewal process, we asked them to look at this program. And that’s when we discovered that there hadn’t been any rate changes in at least 21 years,” Heiser told MTN.
Heiser said the increased revenue will fund highway projects and other infrastructure.
“We feel it’s still an affordable way for some of those businesses to have some advertisement along our interstates,” he added.
Some business owners in Big Horn County disagree.
“I just don’t understand how a company can gouge small businesses. That wasn’t in my budget,” said Kristy Mastin, owner of the KOA campground in Hardin.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
She received an invoice for $4,800 in February to keep her business on the exit signs. She paid $2,400 last year for the same service.
“I was dumbfounded,” said Mastin.
Other campground owners in the county shared Mastin’s shock.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
“We can’t afford that as a small business to suddenly have one aspect of our advertising raised that much,” said Jamie Redger, owner of 7th Ranch RV Camp in Garryowen.
His costs quadrupled in a year, increasing from $1,200 to $4,800, after Montana Logos told him he had to pay to be on the signs for a full year. In the past, he had only paid for half the year.
“At this point, I’ve told Montana Logos that I don’t plan to renew with them,” said Redger.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
Another campground, Grandview Campground and RV Park, may be disappearing from the signs as well.
“We have to ask ourselves, what can we cut out? And Montana Logo is probably going to be it,” said the campground’s owner, Laurie Tschetter.
She is concerned about how the lack of advertising will affect the tourism industry in her community.
“We are kind of the backbone of bringing a lot of tourism dollars back into this state,” said Tschetter.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
The business owners are working with the Hardin Chamber of Commerce, in hopes the state will hear their voices and give them a grant.
“I want to support these businesses and our communities and whatever we need to do next, whether it’s a letter or taking it up a little higher. That’s all we can do,” said Alexandria Edwards, with the Hardin Chamber of Commerce.
The community is also starting to consider advertising alternatives.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
“It would be cheaper just to go get a billboard or put their money into something that would be more fruitful for them,” said Edwards.
“I’ve watched different advertising things go by the wayside. And maybe Montana Logos needs to find that out,” added Tschetter.
Montana Logos did not return multiple calls and messages from MTN News requesting comment.
I’m going to be honest, I’ve lived in Bozeman for years, and I have yet to spot anyone famous.
I bring this up because it seems that celebrity spotting’s are a big deal here in Montana, especially around the Bozeman area. Just in the last couple of weeks there have been Shaq and Justin Timberlake sightings, although it should be noted the two weren’t together.
Shaq decided to stop into McKenzie River Pizza in Belgrade and took a photo with the staff, while Justin Timberlake actually lives outside of Bozeman and so I’m not sure you get as many points seeing him out and about.
There are others, Glen Close has a place here, Sam Elliot has been spotted in town, as well as Michael Keaton, and Kurt Russell, and I had a co-worker swear we were in line with Cameron Diaz one time at an event over at The Armory.
So, yes, famous people hang out around Bozeman. However, when you encounter one, there are certain rules you should be aware of.
What do do when encountering famous people in Montana
First, are they with their family or are they eating? If so, maybe a head nod and you move on. Don’t be that person that goes up and interrupts them or worse, just stands there until they acknowledge you. While they may be famous, they still have a right to enjoy a meal or time with their family out in public.
Second, if they are alone, be cool. Don’t rush up to them and ask for 50 billion things. Approach them, calmly, say hello, let them know you’re a big fan. See how they respond, if they are gracious, then maybe ask for a picture. But don’t blow it by acting a fool.
Finally, if they come across as rude, don’t take it personal. Some of these folks work several hours a day, and maybe you caught them in a moment. Yes, it’s super cool for you to meet a celebrity, but for them, you’re the 500th person they’ve had to meet that day. You have to know when to walk away.
Have you ever ran into a celebrity? Who was it? Did you have a chance to talk with them? How was their reaction? Let us know by sending us a message on our app.
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