The Oregon Small Business Association Foundation July 2018 newsletter says that motorist in Oregon are paying the fifth-highest price for a gallon of gas in the nation.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas cost $3.34 on May 25 in Oregon, which is 37 cents more per gallon than the national average of $2.97, according to AAA of Oregon.
Contributing to the cost is Oregon’s high state gas tax which has historically been above the national state average. On January 1st, 2018 the gas tax was boosted again. Furthermore, it is set to increase again over the next four years as part of the $5 billion ten-year State Transportation tax a package that passed back in 2017.
Increased demand for gasoline for summer driving prompted the price increase, according to a Portland Tribune article in early April. Until this spring, gas prices hadn’t topped $3 a gallon since 2015.
The West Coast has the nation’s highest gas prices. For regular, Californian’s paid the highest average price per gallon at $3.73. While Hawaii came in with the second highest at $3.71 followed by Washington at $3.47 and Alaska $3.39.
However, not all states are experiencing a high increase in gas prices. Nevada motorist paid a penny less per gallon. Alabama and Mississippi had the cheapest gasoline in the nation at $2.65 a gallon. While in other states the average gallon of gas is closer to the national average. It’s only a penny more per gallon in South Carolina and two cents more in Louisiana.
The price fro diesel in Oregon averages $3.40 per gallon.
For more information regarding the rising price of gasoline and other concerning topics for Oregon, check the Oregon Small Business Association.