Oregon Gas Prices Drop Except in Salem

In Salem, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded rose 2-cents to $2.85.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore. ) - In the past week, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline dipped by almost two and a half cents to $2.77.

But, Oregon's statewide average price, $2.87, is less than a penny lower than a week ago. Crude oil is still trading for more than $80 per barrel and wholesale gasoline is up to $2.03.

Salem was the only place in the state to see a jump in gas prices over the last week. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded rose 2-cents to $2.85 in the Salem-area.

"At this time, it's a bit difficult to pinpoint what's behind the fluctuating crude oil and wholesale gasoline prices," said AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Elliott Eki. "Demand is down and there is some thought that the price of crude oil will stay the same or move even higher as winter approaches."

The current national average gasoline price is six cents lower than a month ago, but 50-cents higher than it was one year ago.

By comparison, Oregonians now pay an average four and a-half cents per gallon more than last month and only about a quarter more than they paid during the same time period in 2006.

At $2.87, Oregon's statewide average gasoline price is tied with Connecticut's as the 11th highest in the nation.

Hawaii has the highest average price at $3.20; in the contiguous U.S., California is highest at $3.02, and New Jersey is lowest at $2.54. Washington's average price dropped to $2.94, Idaho's inched upward to $2.82, and Nevada's rose to $2.87.

The national average diesel price remains at $3.08 per gallon. In California, diesel averages $3.29 per gallon; in Washington it's up nine cents to $3.33, in Idaho it's $3.25, and in Nevada it's $3.18.

Oregon's average diesel price gained 12-cents in the past week and now averages $3.22 per gallon.
Source: AAA