Pump prices in Oregon continue to tick down while the national average is flat. U.S. demand for gas surged near summertime highs, in part due to drivers filling up ahead of last week’s record cold across much of the eastern half of the country.
For the week, the national average remains at $2.26 a gallon while the Oregon average dips three cents to $2.77. This is the sixth-largest weekly drop in the nation. The Oregon average is now at its lowest price since November 2017.
The average price of a gallon of gas in Hermiston is among the lowest in the state at under $2.60.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports U.S. gasoline demand at 9.6 million barrels per day for the week ending Jan 25. “The last time demand was this high was during the 2018 Labor Day weekend. One reason for the jump may be the polar vortex that brought extreme cold across the Midwest and East Coast. Many drivers filled up early and often ahead of the storm. Now that temperatures are more seasonal, demand is likely to return to more normal levels for February,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
Oregon is one of 37 states and the District of Columbia where gas prices are lower week-over-week. Idaho (-6 cents) has the largest drop, followed by Utah (-5 cents). Oregon (-3 cents) has the sixth-largest weekly drop in the nation. Ohio (+14 cents) has the largest weekly increase. This week two states, Hawaii and California, have averages at or above $3 a gallon, same as a week ago.
Oregon is one of 25 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is a penny more and the Oregon average is 16 cents less than a month ago. This is the seventh-largest monthly drop in the nation. Utah (-24 cents) has the largest monthly decrease. Ohio (+19 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase.
The West Coast continues to have the most expensive gas prices in the nation with all of the region’s states landing on the top 10 most expensive list. Hawaii is most expensive for the third week in a row followed by California, Washington, Alaska, Nevada and Oregon rounding out the top six. Oregon is sixth most expensive for the fifth week in a row. While still expensive, prices have mostly fallen on the week. Arizona (-4 cents) and Washington (-4 cents) have the largest drops.
