Oregon Gas Prices Continue Upward Trend

In the Salem-area, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded has jumped two cents since Dec. 26th to $2.69 according to AAA.

Photo: Kevin Hays

(SALEM) - The new year began on a good note -- at least where fuel prices are concerned.

Since the day after Christmas, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline went down by more than a penny and a half, but in Oregon it went up two-tenths of a cent.

Crude oil continues to trade near $61 per barrel, about where it's been for the past several weeks.

Fuel prices in January and February typically are at their lowest level of the year due to lesser demand.

This year, however, might be a bit different since OPEC intends to reduce daily oil output by 500-thousand barrels beginning February 1st.

That's in addition to the 1.2 million barrel reduction enacted in early Fall.

OPEC's strategy is to manipulate oil supplies to keep per barrel prices above the $60 threshold, and the cartel's latest action could push up pump prices earlier than usual.

By March, motorists typically see rising pump prices as the Spring driving season approaches, and the requirement to switch to cleaner burning summer fuels goes into effect.

At $2.69, Oregon's average gasoline price is still 2nd highest in the nation.

Hawaii has the highest average price at $2.84.

Washington's statewide average price remained at $2.67, Idaho's dipped to $2.36, California's fell to $2.65, and Nevada's held steady at $2.57.

Missouri has the lowest statewide average gasoline price at just under $2.14.

In the past week, the national average diesel price dropped to $2.68 per gallon.

Idaho's average diesel price held at $2.92, Washington's fell to $3.06, California's remained at $3.07, Nevada's rose to $2.88 and Oregon's went down two cents to $2.93.