Montana Gas Prices Continue to Plunge: Are You Happy Now?

6-months ago, you'd blink and miss Montana gas prices jumping 10-to-20 cents per day. Now, prices are dropping by the same amount a year's end.

It's a scenario all drivers will welcome, especially if you're trying to fuel that large truck. 

The latest survey by GasBuddy.com shows Montana gas prices have dropped 24.5 cents a gallon in the past week, hitting an average of $3.16 on Sunday, with a check on more than 600 stations across the state. 

However, the trend actually started a few weeks ago

GasBuddy reports prices in Montana now are 66.3 cents a gallon lower than they were just a month ago. And surprisingly, are actually a better bargain than last fall headed into the holidays, when we were paying 21 cents more for a gallon of regular "go juice."

A decade ago, Montana drivers were paying $3.28 a gallon.

And for a change, some of the savings are helping truck owners too

The GasBuddy survey shows diesel fuel prices have finally dropped below $5 a gallon for the first time in months, dropping nearly 15 cents per gallon over the past week to hit an average of $4.91 per gallon. 

Remember to shop for the best price

But the GasBuddy survey also shows drivers shouldn't assume their first stop is the best price, especially when traveling across Montana for the holidays. 

Sunday, the lowest price in the state was $2.84 a gallon. However, the highest price in Montana was $4.19, a difference of $1.35 a gallon!

"The relief is saving Americans roughly $20 per fill-up compared to six months ago," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "On the previously hard-hit West Coast, average prices have fallen nearly $2 per gallon since October. Fifteen states now have average gasoline prices of $2.99 or less, with several more to join this week. We remain on schedule to see the national average gas price fall below $3 by Christmas."