Craig Daily Press

Craig — Colorado and the country shared the same fuel fact Wed­­nesday.

Both recorded the highest average prices for regular unleaded gas in their histories, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, updated every Wednesday.

Across Colorado, motorists paid an average of $3.931 a gallon, up from $3.509 a month ago.

The nation as a whole is in a similar situation, with drivers paying an average of $3.983 a gallon, up from $3.611 a month ago.

The average price for a gallon of unleaded in Craig — $4.109 — exceeds state and national averages.

Diesel gas runs pennies away from its all-time highs, as well.

In Colorado, diesel gas runs an average of $4.705 a gallon, down from the historical high of $4.718 set May 30.

Nationally, motorists buying diesel fuel pay an average of $4.778, down from the high of $4.792, also set May 30.

The average price for a gallon of diesel in Craig — $4.89 — also exceeds state and national averages.

Debbi Lardinois, AAA Colo­rado communication specialist, said predicting where gas prices will go in the future is the same as predicting what the Colorado weather will do in a week.

“It’s kind of anyone’s guess,” she said.

There’s a complex amalgamation of domestic and global factors that go into gas prices, Lardinois said. Some industry analysts contend that speculative trading on the energy market has led to people trying to outbid one another for fossil fuel commodities, while others chalk up price increases to supply and demand equaling out.

Then, some point to the weakening dollar and increasing demand in foreign countries, as well, Lardinois said.

However, she added, real costs to average consumers aren’t much different than they were a year ago.

“Yes, gas prices are slightly higher,” she said. “But for a 15-gallon car, it costs about $7 to $8 more to fill up that tank.

“Let’s keep things in perspective.”

AAA does not want to take a position on what could bring fuel costs down, Lardinois said, but consumers shouldn’t abandon hope.

There likely won’t be global gas shortages, and there are cost-savings to be had locally, as well, she said.

“There’s certainly no lack of gas out there,” Lardinois said. “And there are values at certain stations and grocery stores that have discount cards.”

However, she said this year has not followed the same traditional ups and downs of other years.

Traditionally, gas prices dip after Memorial Day weekend because most drivers are back from vacation and not traveling far for a while.

That didn’t happen this year, Lardinois said, another sign that when it comes to fuel prices, nothing is certain.

“I think the public is just going to have to be ready for the unexpected,” she said.