Gas prices are remaining relatively stable as Thanksgiving approaches, with most states seeing prices change by a nickel or less on the week.
AAA reports that the national average for regular gas has seen small ups and downs this fall, while the Oregon average has been mostly declining since mid-September and is at its lowest price since March. However, an outage at the Olympic Pipeline might send gas prices higher in the Pacific Northwest. For the week, the national average for regular ticks up half a cent to $3.08 a gallon. The Oregon average dips three cents to $3.79 a gallon.
The Olympic Pipeline, the Pacific Northwest’s primary fuel artery, was shut down last week due to a leak near Everett, Wash. BP, the operator of the pipeline, said crews were working to determine the cause. The system consists of two parallel pipelines in the area, which were completely shut down after the product discharge was discovered, according to a company spokesperson. BP says the pipeline resumed limited operations on Sunday. The 400-mile pipeline system carries gasoline, diesel and jet fuel from refineries in Washington state to Portland. An outage on the pipeline in September caused gas prices in Oregon and Washington to soar.
“For now, impacts from the latest pipeline shutdown appear to be minimal but that could change depending on how long the outage lasts,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “So far, the Oregon average has only risen about a cent since the outage occurred. That’s good news for drivers who are expected to hit the road in record numbers for Thanksgiving.
AAA expects record Thanksgiving travel this year, with 81.8 million Americans (23.9% of the population), including about 1.17 million Oregonians, heading over the river and through the woods for turkey and all the trimmings. This is a 2% increase over last year. Nearly 90% of travelers will drive, more than 7% will fly, and the rest will go by bus or train or take a cruise.
The Oregon average for regular gas began 2025 at $3.45 a gallon and is currently at $3.79. The highest price of the year so far is $4.297 on Sept. 13-14. The lowest price of the year so far is just under $3.45 a gallon on Jan. 2.
The national average began 2025 at $3.06 a gallon and is currently at $3.08. The highest price of the year so far is $3.268 on April 4. The lowest price of the year so far is $3.036 on Oct. 19-20.
Oregon is one of 23 states with lower prices now than a week ago. Nevada (-10 cents) has the nation’s largest week-over-week decline. Delaware (+9 cents) has the biggest week-over-week increase in the nation.
California ($4.65) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the ninth week in a row. Washington took over the top spot for a week in September when the Olympic Pipeline was out of operation. This week, Hawaii ($4.48) is second and Washington ($4.18) is third. These are the only states with averages at or above $4 a gallon. This week, 21 states and the District of Columbia have averages in the $3 range. There are 26 states with an average in the $2 range this week.
The cheapest gas in the nation is in Oklahoma ($2.53) and Mississippi ($2.61). No state has had an average below $2 a gallon since Jan. 7, 2021, when Mississippi and Texas were below that threshold.
The difference between the most expensive and least expensive states is $2.12 this week, compared to $2.14 a week ago.
Oregon is one of 22 states with lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is four cents more and the Oregon average is 24 cents less than a month ago. This is the second-largest month-over-month decline for a state in the nation, behind Washington (-24 cents). Michigan (+29 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase in the nation.
Oregon is one of 22 states with higher prices now than a year ago. The national average is nearly one cent more, while the Oregon average is 26 cents more. Oregon has the second-largest year-over-year increase in the nation. Alaska (+27 cents) has the largest increase. Colorado (-22 cents) has the largest yearly drop.
The West Coast region continues to have the most expensive pump prices in the nation, with all seven states in the top 10.
As mentioned above, California has the most expensive gas in the nation for the ninth week in a row. Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Oregon, Alaska and Arizona round out the top seven. Oregon is fifth most expensive for the third week in a row.
Five of the seven West Coast states have week-over-week decreases. Nevada (-10 cents) has the largest week-over-week drop in the region and the nation. California (-5 cents), Alaska (-4 cents), Washington (-4 cents), and Oregon (-3 cents) also have week-over-week declines. Hawaii (+1 cent) and Arizona (+2/10 of a cent) have tiny week-over-week increases.
For the week, the national average for diesel adds two cents to $3.77 a gallon. The record high is $5.816 set on June 19, 2022. The Oregon average loses three cents to $4.31. The record high is $6.47 set on July 3, 2022. A year ago the national average was $3.53 and the Oregon average was $3.86.
Crude oil prices have been fairly steady in the last week as investors weigh ongoing oversupply concerns with the impact of U.S. sanctions on Russian producers, which would tighten global supplies.
