Barney Lerten
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The first full week of August was another week with just small price changes at the gas pumps around the U.S., Oregon and the High Desert, AAA Oregon/Idaho reported Tuesday.
Here’s their full report:
Most states, including Oregon, are seeing fluctuations of a nickel or less. Crude oil prices dipped below $64 per barrel last week, which is putting some downward pressure on pump prices. However, hurricane season is the wild card and could impact gas and oil prices later this summer.
For the week, the national average for regular ticks down two cents to $3.14 a gallon. The Oregon average ticks up one cent to $3.99 a gallon, while Bend’s average rose 2.3 cents to $3.84 a gallon:
“Gas prices remain cool as temperatures heat up. It’s been a relatively calm summer at the pumps so far,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
“Factors that could impact oil and gas prices include any hurricane that impacts production, some other disruption that impacts supplies, economic news, and/or geopolitical events. This week, markets will watch what happens in talks with the U.S. and Russia to end the war in Ukraine, which began more than three years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine.”
The Oregon average for regular gas began 2025 at $3.45 a gallon and is currently at $3.99. The highest price of the year so far is $4.076 on June 24 and 25. The lowest price of the year so far is just under $3.45 a gallon on January 2.
The national average began 2025 at $3.06 a gallon and is currently at $3.14. The highest price of the year so far is $3.268 on April 4. The lowest price of the year so far is $3.06 on January 5.
This week 17 Oregon counties have averages at or above $4:
Clackamas $4.06
Clatsop $4.18
Columbia $4.14
Curry $4.12
Grant $4.16
Harney $4.22
Hood River $4.00
Jackson$4.04
Josephine $4.09
Lake $4.12
Multnomah $4.12
Sherman $4.02
Tillamook $4.16
Wallowa $4.16
Wasco $4.07
Washington $4.12
Yamhill $4.03
Demand for gasoline in the U.S. decreased from 9.15 million b/d to 9.04 for the week ending August 1, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This compares to 8.97 million b/d a year ago. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 228.4 million barrels to 227.1. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels per day, compared to 10.0 million barrels per day the previous week.
Pump prices will likely continue to see just small fluctuations if WTI crude oil prices remain below $70 per barrel and there are no supply disruptions.
Gas prices typically rise starting in mid-to-late winter and early spring as refineries undergo maintenance ahead of the switch to summer-blend fuel, which is more expensive to produce and less likely to evaporate in warmer temperatures.
The switch occurs first in California, which is why pump prices on the West Coast often rise before other parts of the country. The East Coast is the last major market to switch to summer-blend fuel. Most areas have a May 1 compliance date for refiners and terminals, while most gas stations have a June 1 deadline to switch to selling summer-blend until June 1.
Switch-over dates are earlier in California, with some areas in the state requiring summer-blend fuel by April 1. Some refineries will begin maintenance and the switchover in February.
Gas prices usually drop in the fall, due to the switch from summer-blend to winter-blend fuel, which costs less to produce. The switch starts in September. Many areas, including Oregon, can sell winter-blend fuel starting September 15.
However, Northern and Southern California require summer-blend fuel through October 31. Prices usually decline to their lowest levels of the year in late fall and early winter before increasing again in the late winter and early spring.
The U.S. price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) had been mostly in the mid-$60s to mid-$70s since last September. Crude prices spiked to the mid-$70s in mid-June in response to the strikes between Israel and Iran, and then the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, but then prices fell back into the $60s on the belief that the conflict would not have a major impact on global oil supplies.
Crude prices fell in early April as markets reacted to President Trump’s tariffs and the impact on U.S. and global markets. Additional downward pressure on crude prices came after the decision by OPEC+ to increase production. The lowest closing price since September was $57.13 on May 5, which was the lowest closing price since February 2021. The recent high price for crude was $80.04 per barrel on January 15, which was the highest price since last August.
Crude oil is trading around $64 today compared to $65 a week ago and $80 a year ago. In 2024, West Texas Intermediate ranged between $66 and $87 per barrel. In 2023, WTI ranged between $63 and $95 per barrel. WTI reached recent highs of $123.70 on March 8, 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and $122.11 per barrel on June 8, 2022. The all-time high for WTI crude oil is $147.27 in July 2008.
Crude prices are impacted by economic news as well as geopolitical events around the world including the current economic uncertainty, unrest in the Middle East including the recent strikes between Israel and Iran and the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the war between Israel and Hamas, and the war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is a top global oil producer, behind the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Crude prices have been volatile after the attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023.
While Israel and the Palestinian territory are not oil producers, concerns remain that the conflict could spread in the Middle East, which could potentially impact crude production in other oil-producing nations in the region. In addition, production cuts by OPEC+ in previous years tightened global crude oil supplies, which continued to impact prices. But now the cartel boosted production by 411,000 barrels in May and June, and July, and announced an increase for August of 548,000 barrels per day.
Crude oil is the main ingredient in gasoline and diesel, so pump prices are impacted by crude prices on the global markets. On average, about 50% of what we pay for in a gallon of gasoline is for the price of crude oil, 17% is refining, 17% distribution and marketing, and 16% are taxes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Meanwhile, crude oil production in the U.S. remains near record highs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that crude production in his country ticked down from 13.31 to 13.28 million barrels per day for the week ending August 1. The record high is 13.63 million barrels per day for the week of December 6. Production has been at 13.5 million barrels per day many times since October. The U.S. has been the top producer of crude oil in the world since 2018 and has been increasing its oil production since about 2009.
Quick stats
Oregon is one of seven states with higher prices now than a week ago. Indiana (-9 cents) has the biggest week-over-week decline in the nation. Washington (+2 cents) has the largest week-over-week increase. Most states have just small fluctuations in pump prices this week, with 45 states and the District of Columbia seeing their averages change by a nickel or less.
California ($4.50) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the second week in a row. Hawaii ($4.46) is second, and Washington ($4.41) is third. These are the three states with averages at or above $4 a gallon. This week 27 states and the District of Columbia have averages in the $3-range. There are 20 states with an average in the $2 range this week.
The cheapest gas in the nation is in Mississippi ($2.69) and Oklahoma ($2.72). No state has had an average below $2 a gallon since January 7, 2021, when Mississippi and Texas were below that threshold. At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic drove significant declines in crude oil and gasoline demand in the U.S. and around the world.
The difference between the most expensive and least expensive states is $1.80 this week, compared to $1.79 a week ago.
Oregon is one of 31 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is two cents less and the Oregon average is one cent less than a month ago. Wisconsin (-14 cents) has the largest month-over-month drop in the nation. Colorado (+10 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase. The average in Vermont is flat.
Washington, Oregon and Alaska are the only states with higher prices now than a year ago. The national average is 30 cents less, while the Washington average is 18 cents more, the Oregon average is 12 cents more, and the Alaska average is one cent more than a year ago. Wisconsin (-54 cents) has the largest yearly drop.
West Coast
The West Coast region continues to have the most expensive pump prices in the nation with six of the seven states in the top 10. It’s typical for the West Coast to have six or seven states in the top 10 as this region tends to consistently have fairly tight supplies, consuming about as much gasoline as is produced. In addition, this region is located relatively far from parts of the country where oil drilling, production and refining occurs, so transportation costs are higher. And environmental programs in this region add to the cost of production, storage and distribution.
Rank
Region
Price on 8/11/2025
1
California
$4.50
2
Hawaii
$4.46
3
Washington
$4.41
4
Oregon
$3.99
5
Alaska
$3.77
6
Nevada
$3.75
7
Idaho
$3.54
8
Utah
$3.39
9
Illinois
$3.38
10
District of Columbia
$3.30
As mentioned above, California has the most expensive gas in the nation for the second week in a row. Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Nevada round out the top six. Arizona is 13th. Oregon is fourth most expensive for the 12th week in a row.
Like most other states, the states in the West Coast region have small week-over-week changes. Washington (+2 cents), Arizona (+1.5 cents), Oregon (+1 cent), Nevada (+1 cent), and Alaska (+1/2 cent) have small increases. Hawaii (-1/2 cent) and California (-1/2 cent) and have small week-over-week declines.
The refinery utilization rate on the West Coast climbed from 89.8% to 92.9% to for the week ending August 1. This rate has ranged between about 72% to 93% in the last year. The latest national refinery utilization rate rose from 95.4% to 96.9%.
The refinery utilization rate measures how much crude oil refineries are processing as a percentage of their maximum capacity. A low or declining rate can put upward pressure on pump prices, while a high or rising rate can put downward pressure on pump prices.
According to EIA’s latest weekly report, total gas stocks in the region increased from 30.87 million bbl. to 31.77 million bbl. An increase in gasoline stocks can put downward pressure on pump prices, while a decrease in gasoline stocks can put upward pressure on pump prices.
Oil market dynamics
Crude oil prices fell last week. Markets on Friday, closing at a three-week low, as markets react to the talks between the U.S. and Russia to end the war in Ukraine, which began in 2022 when Russia invaded that country. President Trump is set to meet with Russian President Putin this Friday in Alaska. An end to the war would boost global oil supplies, as current sanctions on Russia would likely end. Crude prices are also seeing some downward pressure on the decision by OPEC+ to boost output by an additional 547,000 barrels per day starting September 1.
Meanwhile, the EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 3 million barrels from the previous week. At 423.7 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI held steady at $63.88. At the close of Monday’s formal trading session, WTI ticked up eight cents to settle at $63.96. Today crude is trading around $63 compared to $65 a week ago. Crude prices are about $17 less than a year ago. ($80.06 on August 12, 2024)
Drivers can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.
Diesel
For the week, the national average dips two cents to $3.72 a gallon. The record high is $5.816 set on June 19, 2022. The Oregon average also slips two cents to $4.49. The record high is $6.47 set on July 3, 2022. A year ago, the national average for diesel was $3.75, and the Oregon average was $3.99.
Find current fuel prices at GasPrices.AAA.com.
Click here to follow the original article.
Smoke from a southwest Redmond house fire was visible from the ALERTWest Cline Butte camera Tuesday afternoon
2006 conviction for theft in Chelan, Washington.
Screenshot of the charges De Presio faced in 2013.
2015 guilty plea by David De Persio for eluding a police officer.
