On the Run on Broadway was one of the first gas stations in Minot to drop the price of regular gas to below $3 per gallon. Charles Crane/MDN

The price of fuel has been following a downward trajectory after reaching some painful highs at the end of the summer, which has provided a soft landing for drivers and consumers during this holiday season. Thursday morning brought with it a sight that hasn’t been seen in Minot for more than a year: a gallon of regular unleaded for less than $3.

With most of the other gas stations around Minot hovering around the state average of $3.09 per gallon, the On the Run gas station on Broadway and Sinclair on Burdick Expressway both made the first move to drop down to $2.99.

The western half of North Dakota currently possesses the high price per gallon of regular gas, with some of the rural areas seeing over $3.50 per gallon. However, there is no respite in diesel prices, which have been trending upwards of $1 more than a year ago at $4.65 per gallon.

A report from AAA released on Dec. 8 attributed the flagging price of fuel to the diminished demand after the post-pandemic travel boom the nation experienced this summer. The AAA report pointed to new data released by the Energy Information Administration that showed a drop in demand for crude compared to last year, as well as a strengthened domestic gasoline stock. It is likely these favorable conditions will lead to continued benefits at the pump for the next week.