Pump prices are edging up in more than half the states as U.S. gasoline stocks decrease and demand rises. For the week, the national average for regular adds three cents to $2.47 a gallon. The Oregon average gains a penny to $2.98.
The latest report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 2 million bbl to 259.1 million bbl, while demand increased from 8.72 million b/d to 8.92 million b/d. Some of the decrease in stocks can be attributed to refinery maintenance.
“As the winter driving season wraps up, we usually see gas prices fluctuate as refineries start to undergo maintenance before the switch to summer-blend gas,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
Oregon is one of 35 states where prices are higher now than a week ago. Delaware (+13 cents) has the largest weekly increase in the country. Colorado (-3 cents) has the largest week-over-weekly decline. Prices are flat in Alaska and Massachusetts.
This week there are three states with an average above $3 a gallon, same as a week ago.
The cheapest gas in the nation can be found in Mississippi ($2.14) and Texas ($2.16). For the 54th week in a row, no states have an average below $2 a gallon.
Oregon is one of 46 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is five cents less and the Oregon average is one cent less than a month ago. Colorado (-17 cents) has the largest month-over-month decline. Delaware (+12 cents) has the largest monthly increase.
Oregon is one of 46 states and the District of Columbia where drivers are paying more than a year ago. The national average is eight cents more and the Oregon average is 24 cents more than a year ago. This is the fifth-largest yearly increase in the nation. Arizona (+35 cents) and Hawaii (+31 cents) have the biggest year-over-year increases.
For the week, the national average for diesel dips half a cent to $2.87 a gallon. Oregon’s average loses two cents to $3.15. A year ago, the national average for diesel was $2.97 and the Oregon average was $3.06.
Source: AAA