Pump prices are climbing again in most states this week, including Oregon, according to AAA’s recent fuel price news release.
The national average price for regular gas is at its highest price ever for this time of year, while the Oregon average is at its highest price for mid-August since 2022. Elevated crude oil prices and the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz continue to put upward pressure on pump prices. For the week, the national average for regular gasoline rises five cents to $4.07 a gallon. Oregon’s average is also up five cents to $4.72 a gallon.
Crude oil prices have been above $80 since Aug. 10 as the war with Iran continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
“Elevated crude oil prices are keeping pump prices higher than normal for this time of year. Often, pump prices will settle down in August as the summer driving season winds down and early fall routines return,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
The national average price for regular has surpassed its previous record high for mid-August set in 2022. At that time, the national average was at $3.93 compared to $4.07 today. The Oregon average is at its second-highest price ever for mid-August. During the same period in 2022, the average was at $4.84 compared to $4.72 today.
The Oregon average for regular gas began 2026 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 began 2026 at $2.83 a gallon. 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 of 36 states with higher gas prices this week. Iowa (+37 cents) has the largest week-over-week jump in the nation. Delaware (-10 cents) has the largest week-over-week decline.
California ($5.57) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the fifth week in a row. Hawaii ($5.42) is second and Washington ($5.20) is third. These are the three states with averages at or above $5 per gallon. This week there are 20 states and the District of Columbia with averages at or above $4 a gallon, and 27 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 ($3.57) and Louisiana ($3.58). 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 $2.00 this week, compared to $2.10 a week ago.
Oregon is one of 36 states and the District of Columbia with higher prices now than a month ago. The national average is seven cents more and the Oregon average is 17 cents more than a month ago. Idaho (+42 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase. Virginia (-14 cents) has the biggest month-over-month decline.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have higher prices now than a year ago. The national average is 93 cents more, while the Oregon average is 73 cents more. Oregon has the second smallest year-over-year gain in the country.
Indiana (+38 cents) has the smallest. Colorado (+$1.29) 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, California has the most expensive gas in the country for the fifth consecutive week. Hawaii, Washington, Alaska, Nevada, and Oregon round out the top six. Arizona is eighth. Oregon is the sixth most expensive for the sixth week in a row.
The seven states in the West Coast region have small to moderate changes on the week. Arizona (+9 cents), Washington (+6 cents), Oregon (+1 cent), Alaska (+5 cents), and Nevada (+1/2 cent) have week-over-week increases. Hawaii (-3 cents) and California (-1 cent) have week-over-week declines.
Diesel prices are higher in all 50 states and the District of Columbia this week. Delaware (+27 cents) has the largest week-over-week jump. Oregon (+4 cents) has the 42nd largest increase. Maine (+1 cent) has the smallest. For the week, the national average rises 15 cents to $5.47 a gallon. The record high is $5.816 set on June 19, 2022. The Oregon average adds six cents to $5.56. The record high is $6.47 set on July 3, 2022. A year ago, the national average for diesel was $3.69 and the Oregon average was $4.47.
