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.
Source: Oregon AAA
Oregon's Average Drops Below National Average as Gas Prices FallSalem-News.com