Kristy Tallman
In a week marked by rising pump prices in most states, Oregon stands as an outlier with a continued decline in gas prices. The fluctuation is attributed to a nationwide rebound from winter weather events and an uptick in crude oil prices spurred by positive economic indicators and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The national average for regular gasoline saw a four-cent increase to $3.13 per gallon for the week. Contrarily, Oregon experienced a two-cent decrease, settling at $3.62 per gallon.
Marie Dodds, the public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho, said, “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. 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.”
In Sweet Home, residents experienced varying gas prices across local stations. Both Towne Pump and Main Street Market offer fuel at $3.09 per gallon, providing a competitive option for budget-conscious consumers. Meanwhile, Mobile Station slightly edged up with a price of $3.11, while Chevron topped the list at $3.19. As drivers navigate fueling options in the community, the cost discrepancies reflect the dynamic nature of gas pricing in the area.
Oregon joined 13 states witnessing lower prices compared to a week ago. Delaware experiences the largest week-over-week gain, adding 16 cents, while Ohio leads in the opposite direction with a 12-cent drop. Seven states observed prices rising by a dime or more.
Hawaii maintained its position with the most expensive gas in the nation at $4.68, followed by California at $4.52. Twenty states and the District of Columbia averaged in the $3 range, while 28 states reported averages in the $2 range this week.
The lowest gas prices in the nation were found in Wyoming ($2.66) and Oklahoma ($2.70). Notably, no state has recorded an average below $2 a gallon since Jan 7, 2021.
Oregon is among 28 states experiencing lower prices than a month ago, contributing to the fifth-largest monthly drop in the nation. Idaho boasted the most substantial monthly decrease at 29 cents, while Texas saw the largest month-over-month increase at 15 cents.
Despite those fluctuations, all 50 states and the District of Columbia reported lower prices than a year ago. The national average is 38 cents less, with Oregon following suit at 15 cents less. Colorado claimed the largest yearly decrease at $1.11.
The West Coast remained the region with the highest pump prices, representing six of the top 10 states. This pattern is attributed to consistently tight supplies, transportation costs and environmental programs impacting production, storage and distribution.
For the week, the national average edged up half a cent to $3.92 per gallon, while Oregon saw a four-cent decrease to $4.18. Notably, a year ago, the national average for diesel was $4.68, with Oregon recording $4.78, marking a significant shift in the pricing landscape over the past year.