Pump prices are up in 47 states this week – including Oregon – but a drop in crude oil prices could help stall further increases in gas and diesel prices. However, markets remain concerned about global oil supplies as few ships are able to travel through the Strait of Hormuz. For the week, the national average for regular gasoline rises eight cents to $4.10 a gallon. The Oregon average gains seven cents to $4.64 a gallon.
“Crude oil prices are lower this week after hostilities eased in the Middle East, and that’s helping to put the brakes on spiking pump prices. Still, volatility is the name of the game, and oil and pump prices could rise again depending on what develops in the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, and whether shipping traffic resumes in the Strait of Hormuz,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
This year began with Oregon’s average for regular gas at $3.42 a gallon. The highest price of the year so far is $5.353 on May 20. The lowest price of the year so far is $3.33 on Jan. 20. The record high for the Oregon average is $5.548 set on June 15, 2022.
The Washington average for regular gas began 2026 at $3.86 a gallon. The highest price of the year so far is $5.789 on May 20, which is the record high for Washington. The lowest price of the year so far is $3.79 on Jan. 14.
The national average was at $2.83 a gallon to begin the year. The highest price of the year so far is $4.564 on May 21. The lowest price of the year so far is $2.795 on Jan. 11. The record high for the national average is $5.016 set on June 14, 2022.
Oregon is one 47 states and the District of Columbia with higher gas prices this week. Delaware (+17 cents) has the largest week-over-week jump in the nation. Ohio (+1 cent) has the smallest. Iowa (-4 cents), New Mexico (-3 cents) and Colorado (-2/10 of a cent) are the only states with week-over-week declines.
California ($5.65) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the second week in a row. Hawaii ($5.45) is second and Washington ($5.12) is third. These are the three states with averages at or above $5 per gallon. This week, there are 24 states and the District of Columbia with averages at or above $4 a gallon, and 23 states have averages in the $3 range. No state has an average in the $2 range this week.
The cheapest gas in the nation is in Indiana ($3.47) and Mississippi ($3.67). 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 $2.17 this week, compared to $2.18 a week ago.
Oregon is one of only four states with lower prices now than a month ago; the national average is 23 cents more and the Oregon average is eight cents less. Oregon has the second largest month-over-month drop in the nation. Alaska (-14 cents) has the largest. Delaware (+47 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have higher prices now than a year ago. The national average is 96 cents more, while the Oregon average is 66 cents more. Oregon has the second smallest year-over-year gain in the country. Indiana (+42 cents) has the smallest. Arizona (+$1.24) has the largest year-over-year jump in the nation.
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 country. Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Alaska, Oregon and Arizona round out the top seven. Oregon is sixth most expensive for the third week in a row.
All seven states in the West Coast region have week-over-week increases: Nevada (+14 cents), California (+13 cents), Arizona (+12 cents), Washington (+8 cents), Oregon (+7 cents), Alaska (+4 cents), and Hawaii (+2 cents).
Diesel prices are higher in 49 states and the District of Columbia this week. Indiana (+28 cents) has the largest week-over-week jump; Alaska (+2 cents) has the smallest. Oregon (+10 cents) has the 46th largest increase. Hawaii (-3 cents) is the only state with a week-over-week decline. For the week, the national average jumps 18 cents to $5.32 a gallon. The record high is $5.816 set on June 19, 2022. The Oregon average gains 10 cents to $5.48. The record high is $6.47 set on July 3, 2022. A year ago, the national average for diesel was $3.73 and the Oregon average was $4.51.
