Gas prices are beginning to climb on the West Coast as March begins. For the week, the national average edges up two cents to $2.31 a gallon, while Oregon’s average jumps a nickel to $2.61, according to AAA Oregon/Idaho.
“Retail prices continue to fluctuate but have remained in a narrow window for more than a month as increased U.S. production continues to counter OPEC production cuts,” said AAA Oregon/Idaho Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds. “The national average has stayed between about $2.27 and $2.31 and Oregon’s average has been between about $2.52 and $2.61. AAA advises drivers to expect seasonal price hikes in the next few weeks as refiners switch from winter-blend to summer-blend gasoline.”
Oregon is one of 32 states to see prices rise week-over-week. The largest weekly increases are in Michigan (+11) and Indiana (+10 cents).
Oregon is one of 34 states to see prices increase in the last month. The largest monthly increases are in Michigan (+18 cents) and Indiana (+18 cents). The Oregon average is nine cents more than a month ago while the national average is four cents more. The biggest monthly decrease is in the District of Columbia (-7 cents).
West Coast gas prices continue to be the highest in the country, with six states landing on the top ten list of most expensive markets. Hawaii is most expensive at $3.08 and remains the only state with an average above $3 a gallon, although California is just a penny away from the $3 mark and has the second-highest average in the country. Washington, Alaska and Oregon round out the top five most expensive states, with Nevada in sixth. Oregon moves up a notch this week to fifth up from sixth a week ago.
