Gas prices have been steadily falling since mid-June with this week marking the sixth consecutive week of declines for the national and Oregon averages.
Pump prices are down week-over-week in all 50 states due to lower crude oil prices and lackluster demand for gasoline in the U.S. For the week, the national average for regular slides 17 cents to $4.33 a gallon. The Oregon average drops 12 cents to $5.15.
The national average reached its record high of $5.016 on June 14 while the Oregon average reached its record high of $5.548 on June 15. Both averages have been steadily declining since then.
“Consumers appear to be filling up less at a time of year when demand is usually robust. The seasonally low demand combined with crude oil prices remaining below $100 per barrel are putting downward pressure on pump prices,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
A new consumer survey from AAA shows that drivers are making significant changes to cope with high pump prices. Almost two-thirds (64%) of U.S. adults have changed their driving habits or lifestyle since March, with 23% making “major changes.” Drivers’ top three changes to offset high gas prices are driving less, combining errands, and reducing shopping or dining out. Other changes include delaying major purchases, postponing vacations and saving less money.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have lower prices now than a week ago, and 48 states have double-digit declines. Kansas (-28 cents) has the largest weekly drop. The District of Columbia (-8 cents) has the smallest.
California ($5.71) is the most expensive state. There are seven states, including Oregon, with averages at or above $5, down from eight states a week ago. This week 39 states and the District of Columbia have averages at or above $4, and 11 states have averages in the $3-range.
The cheapest gas in the nation is in Texas ($3.83) and South Carolina ($3.84). For the 81st week in a row, no state has an average below $2 a gallon.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is 57 cents less and the Oregon average is 35 cents less than a month ago. Oregon has the 6th-smallest monthly decrease in the nation. Ohio (-76 cents) has the largest monthly drop. Hawaii (-7 cents) has the smallest.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have higher prices now than a year ago, and all have a current average that’s at least 90 cents a gallon higher than a year ago. The national average is $1.17 more and the Oregon average is $1.44 more than a year ago. This is the 7th-largest yearly increase in the nation.
