After a three-month reprieve from rising gas prices, Oregonians saw the average price per gallon jump 50 cents this week to $5.14, the largest increase of any state in the country.
The sudden jump is tied to oil refinery issues, according to AAA. Several refineries in California and Washington are undergoing maintenance, slowing production and leading to short fuel supply on the West Coast.
National gas prices have also increased due to a slowdown in production in the Gulf of Mexico because of Hurricane Ian. The national average climbed 7 cents this week to $3.75. And in Portland, gas prices climbed 47 cents to an average of $5.21 per gallon.
This week’s price hike breaks a 14-week decline of gas prices for Oregon and the country after both hit record highs in mid-June. Oregon peaked at $5.55 per gallon on June 15, and the national average reached $5.02 on June 14. And prices had steadily climbed since February, due to rising crude oil prices affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. and other countries placed strict economic sanctions on Russia, one of the world’s largest oil producers.
Oregon now has the third-highest gas prices in the nation, behind only California and Hawaii. Mississippi has the cheapest gas in the country, averaging $3.07 per gallon.
Within Oregon, Curry County’s gas prices continue to be the most expensive, averaging $5.16 per gallon. Coos, Josephine and Wallowa counties are close behind. Multnomah County is averaging $4.85 per gallon. The cheapest gas in the state is in Marion County, at an average of $4.36 per gallon.
—Jayati Ramakrishnan
Ad Choices