Most states are seeing pump prices rise this week, but Oregon continues to see prices inch down for now.
Gas prices are rebounding after winter weather events across the country, and crude oil prices are on the rise in response to positive economic news and more attacks in the Middle East.
For the week, the national average for regular rises four cents to $3.13 a gallon. The Oregon average slips two cents to $3.62.
“Pump prices had been moving up and down slightly for the past few weeks but now we’re seeing larger increases in some states. If crude oil prices continue to rise, we will see more widespread increases in pump prices,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “This is the time of year we tend to see gas prices bottom out before starting their seasonal climb, and that holds true as we wrap up the first month of 2024.”
The national and Oregon averages are at their lowest prices since July 2021. All counties in Oregon except Curry ($4.25) have averages below $4 a gallon.
Oregon is one of 13 states with lower prices now than a week ago. Delaware (+16 cents) has the largest week-over-week gain. Ohio (-12 cents) has the biggest weekly drop. Seven states are seeing prices rise by a dime or more.
Hawaii ($4.68) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the third week in a row. California ($4.52) is second. These are the only two states with averages at or above $4, same as a week ago. This week 20 states and the District of Columbia have averages in the $3-range. Twenty-eight states have averages in the $2 range this week.
The cheapest gas in the nation is in Wyoming ($2.66) and Oklahoma ($2.70). No state has had an average below $2 a gallon since January 7, 2021, when Mississippi and Texas were below that threshold.
The difference between the most expensive and least expensive states is $2.02 this week, compared to $2.10 a week ago.
Oregon is one of 28 states with lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is one cent more and the Oregon average is 18 cents less than a month ago. This is the fifth-largest monthly drop in the nation. Idaho (-29 cents) has the largest monthly drop. Texas (+15 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have lower prices now than a year ago. The national average is 38 cents less and the Oregon average is 15 cents less than a year ago. Colorado ($1.11) has the largest yearly decrease.
