The national average for regular is creeping up for the first time since October while the Oregon average continues to decline. For the week, the national average adds a penny to $2.24 a gallon while the Oregon average slides four cents to $2.87.
Most stations in Hermiston are selling gas for $2.79 per gallon.
“Crude oil prices have been slowly and steadily increasing and that’s putting some upward pressure on retail gas prices nationwide,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. Last week also saw a sizeable build in U.S. gasoline stocks and a small increase in demand. Overall demand has been low for the past several weeks, contributing to the growth in stocks and helping to keep gas prices relatively low despite increasing crude oil prices.
Oregon is one of 24 states where gas prices are lower week-over-week. Wyoming (-8 cents) has the largest drop. Ohio has the largest weekly increase (+8 cents). This week two states have averages at or above $3 a gallon, down from four a week ago.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is 14 cents less and the Oregon average is also 14 cents less than a month ago. Montana (-32 cents) has the largest monthly decrease. Delaware (-4 cents) has the smallest monthly decrease.
