Gas prices are holding steady or declining in most states, except for the West Coast region where prices are spiking after several unplanned refinery outages.
For the week, the national average for regular slips half a cent to $2.65 a gallon. The Oregon average jumps six cents to $3.18. In Hermiston, the average price of a gallon of gas is around $2.99.
Significant price jumps in California are pushing prices higher for drivers across the West Coast, as gasoline stocks tighten in the region after disruptions at about five refineries in California,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “All regions are seeing planned and unplanned refinery maintenance, but it’s only the West Coast that’s really seeing gasoline stocks shrink and pump prices rise. In fact, most states saw gas prices drop by at least a nickel a gallon in the last week.”
California continues to be dramatically impacted. For the second week in a row, California is the only state in the nation to have an average above $4 a gallon, with a current average of $4.19. This is the highest average in California since May 12, 2014. This week California had a week-over-week jump of 12 cents, following the previous week’s gain of 32 cents.
Oregon is one of only seven states where prices are higher now than a week ago. The biggest weekly jump in the nation is in Nevada (+13 cents). California (+11 cents) has the second-largest jump, and Oregon (+6 cents) is third. Delaware (-8 cents) has the largest week-over-week drop. Prices are flat in Idaho and Arizona. This week there are five states with an average above $3 a gallon, same as a week ago.
Oregon is one of 35 states and the District of Columbia with higher prices now than a month ago. The national average is nine cents more and the Oregon average is 14 cents more than a month ago. This is the 4th-largest monthly increase in the nation. California (+55 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase. Connecticut (-4 cents) has the largest month-over-month decline. Alaska’s average is flat.
