Oregon, West Coast Gas Prices Continue to Fall

In the Salem-area, the price for a gallon of regular unleaded fell another 7-cents in the last week to $2.48.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - The national average price for a gallon of regular continues to fall but at a much slower pace than in previous weeks.

During the past week, the national average price dropped by less than a penny per gallon to $2.15, while Oregon's statewide average price declined by almost nine cents to $2.47.

In the same time period, California's statewide average fell by almost four cents and Washington's went down seven cents.

A week ago, ten states' average price was at or below the $2 mark compared to only seven states this week.

Crude oil prices rebounded in the past two weeks and now hover around $55 per barrel.

That's pushed wholesale fuel prices up in most parts of the nation, most notably in the Midwest where gasoline prices dropped fastest earlier this month.

In the past month, the national average gasoline price has fallen by almost 18-cents per gallon and is well below prices of a year ago.

In Oregon, the decline has been 22-cents, but the average price remains about a quarter a gallon higher than it was one year ago.

Of Oregon's four measured metro areas, Eugene-Springfield experienced the greatest decline -- 29-cents per gallon.

At $2.47, Oregon's average gasoline price is 5th highest in the nation.

Hawaii has the highest average price at $2.87, followed by California and Washington at $2.52 and Nevada at $2.48.

Idaho's average price is down to $2.24.

Oklahoma has the lowest statewide average price at $1.93.

During the past week, the national average diesel price dropped to $2.53 per gallon.

Idaho's average diesel price is $2.73, Washington's is $2.78, California's is $2.91, Nevada's is $2.76 and Oregon's went down almost 8-cents per gallon to $2.67.