Oregon Gas Prices Up Slightly This Week

In the Salem-area, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded rose by 1-cent to $2.81.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore. ) - In the past week, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline fell by almost four cents to $2.79.

But Oregon's statewide average continued its upward trek, but by a mere one-tenth of a cent to $2.82. In coming weeks, motorists should see pump prices backing off.

Consumer demand is down, refineries are now distributing the less expensive winter grade fuel, and U.S. winter fuel standards broaden access to European supplies.

Last week, OPEC agreed to increase oil production by 500,000 barrels per day.

Whether that is enough to add further downward pressure to gasoline prices is uncertain, especially with tropical storms still raising hurricane concerns in the Gulf Coast region.

Once the hurricane season passes, fuel prices should move lower. Then the focus shifts to winter weather, which could drive up demand for heating oil.

Last week, most Midwesterners paid $3 and more for a gallon of regular.

Since then prices have fallen by as much 16-cents per gallon, suggesting that refinery production and distribution problems have been overcome.

At $2.82, Oregon's average gasoline price ranks 21st in the nation.

Hawaii has the highest statewide average price at $3.22; in the contiguous U.S., North Dakota has the highest at $3.06, and New Jersey's is lowest at $2.53.

California's average price rose to $2.93, Washington's is up to $2.90, Idaho's inched up to $2.79, and Nevada's went up to $2.81.

The national average diesel price went up to $2.998 per gallon.

In California, the diesel average price is $3.15 per gallon; in Washington it's $3.13, in Idaho it's $3.04, and in Nevada it's $3.02.

Oregon's average diesel price now stands at $3.01.