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Gas prices in Oregon are still higher than national average The Medford-Ashland area has the state's lowest average price in the state at just under $1.50 a gallon. But the $1.491 average is still nearly a quarter higher than the national average, according to the Oil Price Information Service. National average gasoline prices for a gallon of regular unleaded continue to drop and now are at the lowest levels since August 1999. The national average is $1.25 per gallon - down 28 cents since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In Oregon, the decline has not been so significant - down less than 20 cents a gallon to $1.565 in the same period. Oregon still has the highest average price in the lower 48 states, followed by Washington at $1.55. According to AAA, Medford and Ashland pump prices are nearly a dime cheaper than in Portland. A year ago, Portland's prices were 7 cents less than Jackson County. Industry analysts say the declining prices are the result of increased inventories of gasoline and crude oil. If the trend continues, they expect prices to move even lower prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. Many states already are seeing prices below a dollar a gallon. According to one price reporting service, the lowest price seen for regular unleaded is 91 cents a gallon at a station in San Antonio, Texas. Earlier this week, OPEC ministers met but adjourned without an agreement to reduce output. They'll meet again in two weeks to discuss crude oil prices, which are stuck at about $22 per barrel. That price could move upward, however, depending on economic growth with the approaching holiday shopping and travel season. |
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