During the past week, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline increased by almost 8 cents to $2.93--the highest since mid-May. Oregon's statewide average, however, continued its downward trend, dropping to $2.96.
| National Average |
Regular Unleaded |
| Current |
$ 2.93 |
| 27-Jun |
$ 2.86 |
| Mo. Ago |
$ 2.86 |
| Yr. Ago |
$ 2.22 |
Crude oil currently is trading at more than $70 per barrel, largely in response to recent global developments. Geopolitical issues to keep an eye on include North Korea's testing of long-range missiles; Iran's reaction to economic incentives proposed by Western industrial powers in exchange for that country suspending its nuclear program; the unresolved presidential election in Mexico, the 2nd largest exporter of oil to the United States; and Israel's threat to invade Palestinian territory.
| Area |
Current |
27-Jun |
Mo. Ago |
Yr. Ago |
| Statewide |
$2.96 |
$2.98 |
$3.09 |
$2.33 |
| Portland |
$2.91 |
$2.94 |
$3.07 |
$2.26 |
| Eug/Spfd |
$2.96 |
$2.98 |
$3.14 |
$2.29 |
| Salem |
$2.90 |
$2.93 |
$3.07 |
$2.29 |
| Mdfd/Ashld |
$3.00 |
$3.02 |
$3.14 |
$2.48 |
"In addition, two major refineries--one in Texas, the other in Pennsylvania--experienced problems and briefly shutdown, and a primary shipping channel in the Mississippi River was closed temporarily," said AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Elliott Eki. "Those situations did not cause any long-term supply problems, but they did push gasoline prices a bit higher."
| Highest Recorded |
|
|
| Ntnl Ave |
$3.06 |
9/05/05 |
| Statewide |
$3.11 |
5/28/06 |
| Portland |
$3.10 |
5/30/06 |
| Eug/Spfd |
$3.16 |
5/27/06 |
| Salem |
$3.09 |
6/01/06 |
| Mdfd/Ashld |
$3.17 |
6/02/06 |
Nationwide, the average gasoline price now exceeds $3 per gallon in 11 states and the District of Columbia. At $2.96, Oregon's average gasoline price drops to 18th highest in the nation. Hawaii has the highest statewide average price at $3.37. California's went up to $3.21; Nevada's rose to $3.01; Washington's remained at $3.05, and Idaho's dipped to $2.90. South Carolina has the lowest statewide average price at $2.73, 10-cents higher than a week ago. The national average diesel price rose to $2.97 per gallon. In California, diesel averages $3.27 per gallon; in Washington, it's up to $3.08; in Idaho, it's down to $3.05; in Nevada, it's $3.06; and, in Oregon, it held steady at $3.04.
