Various geopolitical events have sent crude prices above $60 per barrel, and the major winter storm that gripped much of the eastern U.S. has created some refinery issues.
Higher crude prices are translating into higher pump prices. AAA notes in this week’s fuel price news report that pump prices are moving higher in most states, with some states seeing double-digit increases. For the week, the national average for regular adds seven cents to $2.89 a gallon. The Oregon average rises five cents to $3.38 a gallon.
“Crude oil prices remain above $60 per barrel and that’s causing pump prices to rise in most states. It’s a trend that could continue ahead of refinery maintenance season and the annual switch to summer-blend fuel,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
This year began with the Oregon average for regular gas at $3.42 a gallon, which is the highest price of the year so far. The lowest price of the year so far is $3.33 on Jan. 20.
The national average began 2026 at $2.83 a gallon, which is the highest price of the year so far. The lowest price of the year so far is $2.795 on Jan. 11.
Oregon is one of 38 states and the District of Columbia with higher prices now than a week ago. Virginia (+13 cents) has the largest week-over-week increase in the nation. West Virginia (-3 cents) has the biggest week-over-week decrease in the country. The average in Connecticut is flat.
Hawaii ($4.41) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the seventh week in a row. California ($4.25) is second. These are the only states with averages at or above $4 a gallon. This week six states and the District of Columbia have averages in the $3 range. There are 42 states with an average in the $2 range this week.
The cheapest gas in the nation is in Oklahoma ($2.41) and Arkansas ($2.43). No state has had an average below $2 a gallon since Jan. 7, 2021, when Mississippi and Texas were below that threshold.
The difference between the most expensive and least expensive states is $2.00 this week, compared to $2.10 a week ago.
Oregon is one of 22 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is five cents less and the Oregon average is nine cents less than a month ago. Oregon has the second-largest month-over-month decline in the nation, behind Connecticut (-10 cents). Colorado (+30 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase.
Oregon is one of 49 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a year ago. The national average is 23 cents less, while the Oregon average is 16 cents less. Wisconsin (-41 cents) has the largest year-over-year drop in the nation. Alaska (+17 cents) is the only state with a year-over-year increase.
The West Coast region continues to have the most expensive pump prices in the nation, with all seven states in the top 10.
As mentioned above, Hawaii has the most expensive gas in the country for the seventh consecutive week. California, Washington, Alaska, Nevada, and Oregon round out the top six. Arizona is 10th. Oregon is sixth for the third week in a row.
Five of the seven states in the West Coast region have week-over-week increases: Washington (+6 cents), California (+5 cents), Oregon (+5 cents), Nevada (+3 cents), Alaska (+2 cents), and Arizona (+1 cent). Hawaii (-2/10 of a cent) has a tiny week-over-week decline.
For the week, the national average for diesel jumps eight cents to $3.59 a gallon. The record high is $5.816 set on June 19, 2022. The Oregon average adds four cents to $4.01. The record high is $6.47 set on July 3, 2022. A year ago, the national average for diesel was $3.67 and the Oregon average was $3.82.
