All sorts of factors come into play, including local regulations, taxes, and the distance from the nearest refinery. gas prices to vary by region, sometimes drastically. Energy Information Administration points out, prices in the Rocky Mountain region were actually falling towards the end of January, even as the rest of the country saw average fuel costs tick up. As the map below from Gas Buddy shows, prices in states such as Colorado, Idaho, and Utah are lagging well behind the national average of $3.65. Yet up in the Rockies, as well as in parts of the Midwest, motorists have been getting spared, relatively speaking. economic recovery, as they nearly did in 2011. The run-up has many contemplating whether gas prices could break the U.S. refining capacity, motorists are paying more than $3.50. Even in Houston, the gas-pumping heart of U.S. In California, an average gallon of fuel now costs more than $4. Gas prices have been on the rise for the past two months, as the international game of chicken between the West and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program has sent global price of crude oil up above $120 a barrel.

Right now, it's very, very good to be a commuter in Colorado.

Disunited states of america map