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Drivers in Portage la Prairie are finally getting some relief at the pumps as gas prices begin to ease, and experts say the downward trend may stick around for the next couple of months.
Just a few weeks ago, motorists were paying about $1.43 per litre. Today, prices have dipped closer to $1.35, and industry watchers expect that number to slide further as fall sets in.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, says the recent shift is largely tied to seasonal patterns and supply stability in the south.
“We did see prices jumping a few weeks ago. That was related to a refinery that unexpectedly saw downtime in mid to late August,” De Haan explains. “But since then, that refinery was able to get back online and start churning out product. In addition, today is the day that we've begun the switch back to cheaper winter gasoline.”
That seasonal switch, which happens every fall, allows fuel producers to blend in cheaper ingredients, making it less expensive to refine. Combined with increased refinery output, it’s easing costs at the pump.
De Haan says drivers should notice gradual declines rather than sharp drops.
“I would expect that in the weeks ahead, we could see prices falling a couple of cents a litre every week or two. That could continue until probably about November or December. By the time we get close to the end of the year, we could see the provincial average in Manitoba somewhere in the ballpark of 10 to 20 cents a litre lower than where it stands today. That could put it somewhere in the low dollar-a-litre range," he says.
If trends hold, some of the cheapest stations across the Prairies could even dip below the one-dollar mark, though De Haan cautions that would be short-lived.
“This is not something that would be permanent. It is very seasonal.”
Still, some variables could shift the outlook. Hurricane season in the southern U.S. always carries the risk of disrupting refinery output, and global geopolitical tensions can quickly swing prices in either direction.
Closer to home, Portage drivers often question why prices in their community tend to sit higher than those in Winnipeg or Brandon. De Haan says that it usually comes down to how many stations are competing for business.
“Communities that are away from larger cities have less competition, and thus prices may be a bit higher. Prices may also be slower to move in some of these more rural areas, but it really does vary significantly from town to town,” he notes
On the broader national scale, Manitoba holds its place among the cheapest provinces for fuel. Alberta currently leads with an average of $1.28 a litre, followed by Manitoba at $1.33 and Saskatchewan at $1.36. At the other end of the spectrum, British Columbia drivers are paying an average of $1.63 a litre.
While motorists might be breathing a little easier when filling up, De Haan reminds residents to prepare for other seasonal expenses.
“Those that are using propane and heating oil could be seeing prices inching up as we get into the cold weather.”
For now, though, with steady declines expected in the weeks ahead, Portage drivers can enjoy some much-needed savings at the pumps, even if heating bills may soon demand more attention.
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