Gas Prices in Parts of Oregon Pass Four Dollar Mark

Prices at the pumps continue to be much higher than they were a year ago. The national average was $3.21 last year, while Oregon's average was $3.37.

Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Gas has finally reached $4 a gallon in Oregon. Today's average for regular unleaded in Medford/Ashland climbed to $4.01. The statewide average and averages for the other major markets in Oregon are only pennies away.

There doesn't seem to be an end in sight to climbing gas and diesel prices, which continue to set new record highs almost daily. Both the national and Oregon averages for regular unleaded are just a few cents from reaching $4 per gallon, and in Medford/Ashland, the current average is $4.01.

AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds says, "The statewide average for regular unleaded in Oregon rockets up 14 cents this week to $3.97, while the national average also jumps 14 cents to $3.94.

This week 12 states, including Washington, have statewide averages for regular unleaded at or above $4 per gallon, up from two states last week. And the average for diesel jumps above $5 per gallon in two states, California and New York."

Americans do seem to be cutting back on the number of miles they drive. The Federal Highway Administration's Traffic Volume Trends report out this week shows estimated vehicle miles traveled on all U.S. public roads in March is down 4.3%. That's the largest drop for any month in the history of the report, which has been produced monthly since 1942. It shows Americans drove 11 billion fewer miles in March this year than in March of 2007.

The skyrocketing cost of crude takes much of the blame for the record high gas and diesel prices. A barrel of crude oil costs about $129 today, after surging to $135 last week. Crude oil was about $113 on May 1.

Prices at the pumps continue to be much higher than they were a year ago. The national average was $3.21 last year, while Oregon's average was $3.37.

Salem’s average of $3.910 is the lowest in the state, with Portland following at $3.949 a gallon for regular. Drivers in the Eugene/Springfield area are paying $3.976 and the Medford/Ashland region already cleared the four dollar mark with gas going for $4.010 a gallon. Drivers in Vancouver, Washington are paying $3.996 for self serve regular.

Oregon's gas prices are 15th highest in the nation, up from 16th highest last week. Alaska has the most expensive gas in the country again this week at $4.20 a gallon, followed by Connecticut at $4.20, California at $4.12, New York at $4.12, and Illinois at $4.11. Washington is eighth highest this week at $4.03, up from tenth highest last week. Wyoming has the least expensive gas in the country this week at $3.75 per gallon.

The Oregon and national averages for diesel continue to set new records almost daily. The national average rockets up 23 cents to $4.77. Oregon's average jumps 21 cents to $4.80. California has the highest statewide average price for diesel this week at $5.12, followed by New York at $5.07, Connecticut at $4.97, Vermont at $4.95 and Pennsylvania at $4.93. Oregon's diesel prices are the 16th most expensive for the third week in a row. A year ago the national average for diesel was $2.92 and Oregon's average was $2.95.

Source: Oregon AAA