Iowa gas prices are down over last Memorial Day. Where are the cheapest spots?

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez, Des Moines Register
·2 min read
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Iowa and the Midwest are expected to see pre-pandemic level travel this Memorial Day weekend, as gas prices have decreased significantly from 2022's average of $4.60.

Gas prices in Des Moines have gone down nearly a dollar per gallon since last Memorial Day, and travelers are expected to take advantage.

Memorial Day road trips have increased by 6% in the last year, according to AAA’s 2023 Memorial Day Travel Forecast. It's estimated that 37.1 million Americans will be driving to their destination this weekend.

Iowa ranks near middle of the country for gas prices

Iowa has the 21st cheapest gas in the country, according to the tracking website Gas Buddy, with a statewide average of $3.43 per gallon. The Friday before Memorial Day in 2022, Iowa's statewide average was $4.29.

Cheaper neighboring states, according to Gas Buddy, include:

  • Nebraska, where a Murphy USA station in Omaha is selling gas at $2.93 per gallon.

  • South Dakota, where gas stations are selling fuel for anywhere between $3.00-3.20 per gallon.

  • Missouri, where the statewide average is $3.25.

Illinois gas prices come in highest, with a statewide average of $3.95 per gallon.

Cheapest gas in Iowa

  • Murphy USA, 907 E. Baker St., Mount Pleasant, $2.89

  • Casey's, 2105 E. Washington St., Mount Pleasant, $2.93

  • BP, 2020 E. Washington St., Mount Pleasant, $2.93

Cheapest gas in Des Moines

  • Sam's Club, 4625 SE Delaware Avenue, Ankeny, $3.22

  • Kum & Go, 11989 Hickman Road, Urbandale $3.24

  • Costco, 4000 NE Spectrum Drive, Ankeny $3.27

  • Costco, 7205 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, $3.29

  • Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, 425 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, $3.29

Cheapest gas stations in Ames

  • Kum & Go, 111 Duff Ave., Ames, $3.15

  • Sam's Club, 305 Airport Road, $3.37

Cheapest gas stations in Iowa City

  • Costco, 2900 Heartland Drive, Coralville, $3.19

  • Casey's, 1002 W. Madison St., Washington, $3.29

It's unlikely that gas prices will come close to the average travelers were paying last year at this time, the AAA travel forecast reports.

Note: Gas prices were accurate as of 1:30 p.m. listings on GasBuddy.com on Friday, May 26.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa gas prices are down for Memorial Day. Here are the cheapest spots