Oregon's Average Drops Below National Average as Gas Prices Fall

It's unusual for Oregon's statewide average for regular unleaded is less than the national average.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The national average and the Oregon statewide average both have fallen below the $3 per gallon mark for regular unleaded. AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds says it's the first time in five weeks the national average has been below $3, and the first time since mid-October the Oregon average has been this low. And she added, "Oregon's average is now lower than the national average -- something we don't see very often."

"The national average is down three cents this week to $2.98, while Oregon's average has dropped six-and-a-half cents to $2.945.

Portland’s average of $2.896 for a gallon of regular is the cheapest in the state, Salem follows with an average cost of $2.917 for regular. In Eugene/Springfield drivers are paying $2.933 at the pump and the average price in the Medford/Ashland area is $3.015. In Vancouver, Washington, motorists are paying $3.003 for self serve regular.

The price of crude is still around $90 per barrel, and most analysts expect further increases in U.S. oil inventories this week, so retail gasoline prices are expected to drop a little more this winter. However, if the Federal Reserve decides to cut interest rates again tomorrow, then oil prices may go up in the short-term as the dollar is expected to fall further against other major currencies. This happens because oil is priced and traded in dollars, and a weaker dollar tends to make oil more expensive since the dollar must be converted back into the local currencies of those who sell it.

We're still paying much more for gas than we were a year ago. Last year at this time, the national average was almost 84 cents lower than it is now, and the Oregon average was about 46 cents lower.

Gas prices this week are down in all four of Oregon's measured metropolitan areas, and in Vancouver, WA. In Vancouver and Medford/Ashland, prices are down eight cents. In Portland, prices are down seven cents, in Eugene/Springfield, prices are down six cents, and in Salem, prices are down five cents this week.

Oregon's gas prices are now 30th highest in the nation, down from 23rd highest last week, while Washington has the 12th most expensive gas in the nation this week at $3.05.

Hawaii continues to have the most expensive gas in the country at $3.46 per gallon, followed by New York at $3.26, Alaska at $3.22, Connecticut at $3.21, and California at $3.15. Missouri has the least expensive gas in the country again this week at $2.79 per gallon. At this time, 29 states have average prices below $3 per gallon, compared to 24 states last week.

The price of diesel has also declined in the past week. Oregon's average diesel price is down six cents to $3.28 per gallon, compared to $2.68 a year ago. The national average for diesel is down two cents this week to $3.37, compared with $2.53 last year. Hawaii has the highest statewide average price for diesel at $3.93.

Salem-News.com Top Stories

2025: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Two Wars with No Way Out

No One Owns the Future

The Ugly Origins of Trump's America First Policy

A One-State Solution Could Transform the World

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Jefferson February 1, 2008 12:31 pm (Pacific time)

Neal in total agreement with your 2:21 post. I recall early jobs in my youth which included pumping gas (my children also did this kind of honorable work). Back when I was doing this it seems that each station also had fulltime mechanics, so I also learned other skills. Though doing mechanical work on current vehicles one needs advanced skills, so I always make sure my vehicles are on warranty. Many of the kids I have known over the years doing this work developed skills that served them well as they moved on to other employment...kids now just don't have the variety of part-time jobs...maybe when we enforce our immigration laws new employment opprotunities (and higher wages) will become available...

Neal Feldman January 31, 2008 2:21 pm (Pacific time)

Jefferson - thanks for the clarification re: Carolyn. As for my reasons for opposing self serve in Oregon 1) when I drove I preferred to not have to get out and pump the gas, 2) The jobs that would be eliminated are often the first jobs kids get, 3) there is zero reason TO allow it since as proven by data there are other states with self serve that have the same or even higher gas prices... so where is the benefit? The freedom to smell like a refinery? Plus why should the disabled or elderly, least able to afford it, be forced to pat the extreme premium that is charged in self serve states for full serve? Ah well...

Jefferson January 31, 2008 10:25 am (Pacific time)

Neal we are in full agreement regarding not having the public in my state pumping their own gas, but for different reasons I would imagine. The thousands of jobs that would be lost would be a real tragedy if we change our policy in this matter. Though they are low paying positions (generally), they are a source of income for many. Neal regarding Carolyn Baker, no I am not fixated on this individual, another poster is. I find her as just another fringe type that attracts those who have lost their grip on reality...

Neal Feldman January 31, 2008 5:05 am (Pacific time)

Jefferson - so now Carolyn Baker is the subject of your fixation? hmmm... They will never get self serve in Oregon for there is ample evidence that self serve = NO serve. And there is no savings doing so... it just raises the profit margins for Big Oil and puts thousands out of work for no good reason. But still the neocons and their allies in Big Oil still salivate over the prospect. Ah well...

Henry Ruark January 30, 2008 1:26 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Forgot to ask ol' h-i-w if he ever got SUV/gas/guzzler the new carb he promised to obtain with his kicker check. OR did he make good on a later promise to give it to charity ? NOT that I would trust his answer, in any case...

Jefferson January 30, 2008 9:29 am (Pacific time)

For those of you that are more up to date than some posters, there has been a concerted effort to start having the "Oregon" public pump their own gas, assuming that this would make gas cheaper. Oregon being probably the last state that does not require the public to pump their own gas,ergo, we are saving literally thousands of gas station jobs (thousands!!). Suffice the evidence as one who understands the above article, the price of gas is not dependent on having our gas pumped by a station employee. Gosh, logic is really tough for some...

Henry Ruark January 30, 2008 7:16 am (Pacific time)

To all: Still further working proof that ol'hole-in-wall, non-ID'd, knows so little about realities facing everyone who MUST travel and who is now paying dearly for the privilege. It is precisely this missing view of the 21st Century world, facing plundered natural resources never possibly replacable, that delays and may even defeat what reasonable, rational people able to understand scientific consensus know must be done: Find natural and substitute replacements for world energy needs now threatening every nation. "Depressing" relates to such stupid, selfish, personal-place needs more than it does to actual facts understood by most who can think beyond their own noses.

Jefferson January 29, 2008 5:47 pm (Pacific time)

Well this info above must be depressing for those who want to fire all those gas pumpers, and of course those that follow Carolyn Baker...whew!

[Return to Top]