Travel Update: Gas Prices in Oregon Rise Slightly, Coast Prices Higher

Published 01/29/2013

(Portland, Oregon) - While Oregon's average for regular unleaded gas is a bit lower than the national average, fuel prices rose by about three cents this past week to $3.35 a gallon.

At least a bit of a continued rise seems in the cards for the state, according to AAA.

Meanwhile, other sources note a large different between gas prices on the Oregon coast and those inland.

The week before, Oregon was only two tenths of a cent more than the national average, which the AAA said is rare. Normally, Oregon is ten to 25 cents higher than the national average.

“The Oregon average got within fractions of a penny of the national average at the start of February of last year, but the last time the Oregon average was actually less than the national average was on May 14, 2011 when the national average was $3.969, and the price in Oregon was $3.965,” said Marie Dodds, Director of Government & Public Affairs with AAA. “That was one of only ten times all around that date since 2008 that the pump price in Oregon has been less than the national average.”

Dodds said the national average has increased for 12 consecutive days, the longest such streak since prices rose for 21 straight days July 28 through August 18, 2012. However, that has only been a seven-cent increase since New Year's Day, about half of the increase in that same period last year.

Both the national and Oregon averages are less than they were a year ago, when the national average was $3.43 and Oregon’s was $3.48.

Last year, pump prices started rising quickly because of higher global oil prices due to geopolitical tensions with Iran. This year, while markets have kept an eye on recent episodes of violence in Algeria, gas prices have risen largely because of higher oil prices from positive economic news and recent regional refinery issues.

Dodds said diesel prices are up a little this week as well, but Oregon's average and the national average are about the same.

Meanwhile, according to OregonGasPrices.com, since Monday morning, gas on the central Oregon coast town of Lincoln City was going for $3.45 per gallon at the SpaceAge gas station on Highway 101. This is usually by far the most inexpensive gas in Lincoln City, so it's likely other stations were substantially higher.

There was no data for other Oregon coast towns.

This is compared to prices in Beaverton in the same period since Monday morning, which the website noted as often being around $3.35 per gallon – but the full range was from $3.22 to $3.49 per gallon.

Gas on the Oregon coast is often five to 15 cents more per gallon than inland.

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