POST FALLS - Depending on where you live or where you fill up, gas prices are either making you smile or grit your teeth.

Gas prices averaged $3.72 a gallon in Coeur d'Alene on Monday, 23 cents higher than the national average, according to the AAA travel agency.

North Idaho's price is frustrating to some motorists, particularly when the nation's average has dropped 11 cents in the past month.

Idaho's gas prices are seventh highest in the country at a time when prices in some regions have dropped dramatically, said Dave Carlson, AAA spokesman.

"Unfortunately, for motorists, we're paying among the highest prices for gasoline at a time when oil and gasoline futures are at the lowest point," he said. "A year ago, Idaho's prices were well above the national average for nearly the entire year. During six of the past 10 months, Idaho's prices this year have been below the national average - until now."

But others have something to celebrate since the Love's travel stop along Interstate 90 on Post Falls' west side opened about a month ago.

Love's and its neighbor competitor Pilot Flying J were both at $3.59 on Monday, which was one of the lowest prices in the state. The price war helped make the average price in Post Falls at $3.69.

Post Falls, for several years, has been roughly a dime more expensive than Coeur d'Alene, which has drawn complaints from residents. Analysts have attributed that to more competition in the Lake City.

Emma Wood, lead cashier at Pilot, said when Love's opened, Pilot's price drop was intentional.

"We used to be higher, but we have come down since Love's had its grand opening," Wood said. "Both Love's and ourselves are doing what we can to make sure our customers are happy."

Wood said the volume and increase in customers have outweighed the drop in price.

"We have been non-stop busy," Wood said. "People have been coming here from Spokane and Coeur d'Alene to get cheaper gas."

Wood said she can't guarantee the price battle - and among the lowest prices in the region - will last forever. But she's willing to bet it won't go away anytime soon.

"I think it's safe to say that you should expect lower prices to continue," she said.

Post Falls' Sam Brown like what he sees, especially after mostly filling up in Coeur d'Alene in recent years.

"Post Falls has been taking it on the chin when it comes to gas," said Brown while filling up on Monday. "It's nice having competitive prices between Spokane and Coeur d'Alene. But I still think this area is higher than others."

Idaho is susceptible to gas prices that are higher than the national average during the late summer and early fall months, Carlson said.

He said AAA speculates that tight supplies are affecting pump prices.

"That could be anything from tight inventories due to the summer-to-winter gasoline switchover, to reduced regional refinery output, planned or otherwise," Carlson said.

"The huge spread suggests that refineries serving isolated markets like Idaho can use these points in time to take more profits."

Gas price comparison

Here are gas price averages on Monday compared to a month ago and six months ago:

Monday month ago 6 mo. ago

Coeur d'Alene $3.72 $3.62 $3.49

Post Falls $3.69 $3.70 $3.56

Boise $3.74 $3.67 $3.48

U.S. $3.49 $3.60 $3.56

SOURCE: AAA