Demand for gasoline in the U.S. is surging to record highs, causing retail pump prices to climb. All 50 states are reporting weekly increases, with three states seeing double-digit jumps.
For the week, the national average for regular jumps a nickel to $2.77 a gallon while the Oregon average adds three cents to $3.17. Prices in Eastern Oregon are right around $2.99 a gallon.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest data registers consumer gasoline demand at 9.857 million barrels a day. That is the highest level ever on record for the month of April and exceeds typical summer demand measurements. “Many consumers are shocked to see such high prices when they fill up their vehicles,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. More than 13 percent of stations across the U.S. are selling gasoline for $3 or more.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia report week-over-week increases. The largest jumps are in Rhode Island (+12 cents), Connecticut (+11 cents) and New Jersey (+10 cents). Oregon has one of the smallest weekly increases of 3 cents, which is the 41st largest in the country.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia also have higher prices than one month ago. The national average is 17 cents more and the Oregon average is 13 cents more than a month ago. This is the 39th largest monthly increase in the country. Utah (+50 cents) and Idaho (+34 cents) have the largest monthly gains.
The West Coast still has the most expensive gas prices in the nation with six of the top ten states in this region. Hawaii tops the list, followed by California, Washington, Alaska, Nevada and Oregon. Oregon is sixth most expensive for the second week in a row. For the second week in a row, the same seven states have averages at or above $3 a gallon.
