Gas prices are steady or edging lower in most states but that trend may reverse soon due to spiking demand.
For the week, the national average for regular slides three cents to $2.89 a gallon. The Oregon average dips two cents to $3.31.
“If demand continues to grow and inventories decrease in the weeks ahead, gas prices will likely climb again,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “AAA expects the national gas price average to range between $2.85 and $3.05 through Labor Day, likely seeing the summer’s highest prices in June. The Oregon average will likely be around $3.25 to $3.50 a gallon this summer, barring unforeseen events.”
Oregon is one of 43 states and the District of Columbia reporting week-over-week decreases. The largest decreases are in Ohio (-10 cents) and Delaware (-5 cents). Only seven states report weekly increases. Indiana has the largest (+3 cents). This week 14 states have averages at or above $3 a gallon, same as last week.
Oregon is one of 18 states where prices are higher than one month ago. The national average is three cents more and the Oregon average is fractions of a cent higher than a month ago. Oregon has the 49th-largest monthly increase in the country. Wyoming (+12 cents) has the largest monthly increase, while Ohio (-20 cents) has the largest monthly decrease.
The West Coast continues to have the most expensive gas prices in the nation. Hawaii is most expensive for the second week in a row with California, Washington, Alaska, Nevada and Oregon rounding out the top six. Oregon falls to sixth after three weeks at fifth.
