A motorist is shown filling up their car at a gas station. (THE CANADIAN PRESS)

By Derek Craddock

NO SHOCK AT THE PUMP

Analysts say no change coming to gas prices this long weekend

May 18, 2024 | 6:00 AM

The Victoria Day long weekend is finally here, and if you’re travelling and need to fuel up on the road, there’s some good news for you.

While the price per litre of gas can jump up before a long weekend, that won’t be the case for the next few days, according to gas price analyst Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy.

He said that prices across Saskatchewan have dropped recently to an average of 155.6 cents a litre

“Looking at where we were yesterday, a week ago, a month ago, a year ago, provincially, you’re kind of right on par,” he said. “It’s also about a penny lower than a month ago, and it’s within about half a penny of where we were last year.”

De Haan added that even the Canadian average has dropped recently to sit at 162 cents a litre.

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As the long weekend rolls on, De Haan doesn’t anticipate there will be any changes to fuel prices with the price per barrel of oil remaining steady. However, as June approaches, drivers might see some more relief at the pumps.

“A lot of that is because the change to summer gasoline is done, refineries are also finishing up maintenance work and that should help (relieve) some pressure here over the next couple of weeks,” he said.

Currently, the cheapest places to fill in Saskatchewan are at a few stations in Regina and Saskatoon and a Gas Plus station in North Battleford.

The prices in Regina are between 143 and 155 cents a litre with Saskatoon stations between 149 and 155 cents. In comparison, many stations in Prince Albert are still at 155.9 cents a litre with a few stations selling just below that.

De Haan said the differences in prices between the major cities can be attributed to how much competition there is.

“Some areas are more competitive in areas akin to transit, (and) the cost to the distance of gasoline can enter into the equation as well,” he said, “It’s very frustrating. There’s not a whole lot motorists can do…just be aware of what the differences are at the stations you’re filling up at.”

Real-time stats on gas prices in Saskatchewan can be found at GasBuddy.com and the GasBuddy app.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com