Drivers in Oregon and across the country are finding higher prices at the pumps. Gas and diesel prices are up in all but seven states this week. Elevated crude oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as well as Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries continue to put upward pressure on pump prices. For the week, the national average for regular gasoline adds three cents to $4.10 a gallon. The Oregon average gains six cents to $4.77 a gallon.

The national average is at its highest price ever for this time of year. The previous high prices for August were reached in 2022. On this date in 2022 (August 25), the national average was at $3.88 compared to $4.10 today. So far, the monthly average for August is $4.07. surpassing 2022 when the monthly average was $3.97. At this point, drivers are poised to pay a national average above $4 a gallon on Labor Day, which would be a record high price for the holiday.

The Oregon average is at its second-highest price ever for this time of year. On this date in 2022 (August 25), Oregon drivers were paying an average price of $4.80, compared to $4.77 today. So far, the monthly average for August is $4.70, compared to $4.87 in August 2022.

In 2022, crude oil prices and gas prices were elevated for much of the year, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. Supply challenges were also an issue, as demand for fuel rebounded significantly after the pandemic and production couldn’t keep up.

Crude oil prices have been above $80 since August 10 as the war with Iran continues and shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains severely restricted. In addition, the ongoing fighting between Russia and Ukraine is also impacting crude oil prices, as Ukrainian drone strikes have knocked out a sizeable amount of Russia’s refining capacity.

“As uncertainty in global energy markets continues, drivers can expect pump prices to remain elevated for this time of year,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “The switch to winter-blend fuel next month may provide a little relief at the pumps, but don’t expect big declines as long as the conflict in the Middle East continues.”

Gas prices are significantly more expensive than they were before the conflict with Iran began. The National average for regular gas was $2.98 and Oregon average was $3.92 on Feb. 28, the day the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran.

Crude oil prices remain volatile, with dramatic swings driven by concerns of how the conflict with Iran impacts global oil supplies. Since the conflict with Iran started, prices for West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark for crude, have ranged between $68 and nearly $113 per barrel. Crude was at $67 per barrel on Feb. 27, the day before the conflict began.

In general, every $1 increase in the price of crude oil leads to a 2.4- to 2.5-cent increase in the price of gasoline.

Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains well below pre-conflict levels of 100 to 130 ships per day. Traffic remains significantly restricted and dangerous due to the ongoing conflict and recent attacks on vessels. Normally, about 20% of the world’s oil and refined products flow through the Strait of Hormuz, which is the narrow passageway of the Persian Gulf and is bordered by Iran. Tankers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz carry oil from major producers in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Iraq and Iran. Any disruption in the straight can impact global oil supplies and send crude oil prices higher.

The Oregon average for regular gas began 2026 at $3.42 a gallon. The highest price of the year so far is $5.353 on May 20. The lowest price of the year so far is $3.33 on January 20. The record high for the Oregon average is $5.548 set on June 15, 2022.

The Washington average for regular gas began 2026 at $3.86 a gallon. The highest price of the year so far is $5.789 on May 20, which is the record high for Washington. The lowest price of the year so far is $3.79 on January 14.

The national average began 2026 at $2.83 a gallon. The highest price of the year so far is $4.564 on May 21. The lowest price of the year so far is $2.795 on January 11. The record high for the national average is $5.016 set on June 14, 2022.

Demand for gasoline in the U.S. gasoline decreased from 8.96 million barrels per day to 8.69 million for the week ending August 14. This compares to 8.84 million b/d a year ago. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 208.7 million barrels to 209.4 million. Gasoline production increased, averaging 9.7 million barrels per day, compared to 9.6 million barrels the previous week.

In addition to the conflict in the Middle East, pump prices are also impacted by the normal seasonal factors. 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. 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) remains above $80 to start this week. The conflicts in the Middle East, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and market concerns about global oil supplies continue to impact prices. Crude prices fell sharply earlier this summer as markets reacted to the peace deal between the U.S. and Iran. WTI dipped below $70 for several days in late June and early July, the lowest prices since the start of the conflict.

WTI is trading around $82 today, compared to $85 a week ago and $65 a year ago. In 2025, West Texas Intermediate ranged between $80.04 (January 15) and $57.46 (October 16) per barrel. In 2024, WTI 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 determined in international markets, based on global supply and demand, and are impacted by economic news as well as geopolitical events around the world including the conflict with Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, economic uncertainty, the situation in Venezuela, tensions over Greenland, sanctions on Iran’s oil, the conflict 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 oil is the main ingredient in gasoline and diesel, so pump prices are impacted by crude prices on the global markets. On average, about 52% of what we pay for in a gallon of gasoline is for the price of crude oil, 22% is refining, 15% distribution and marketing, and 12% are taxes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Meanwhile, crude oil production in the U.S. remains at or near record highs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that crude production in his country is at 13.83 million barrels per day for the week ending August 14. Production has been at 13.5 million barrels per day many times since October 2024. 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 43 states and the District of Columbia with higher gas prices this week. Virginia (+16 cents) has the largest week-over-week jump in the nation. Ohio (-18 cents) has the largest week-over-week decline.

California ($5.62) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the sixth week in a row. Hawaii ($5.41) is second and Washington ($5.27) is third. These are the three states with averages at or above $5 per gallon. This week there are 27 states and the District of Columbia with averages at or above $4 a gallon, and 20 states have averages in the $3-range. No state has an average in the $2 range this week.

The cheapest gas in the nation is in Indiana ($3.49) and Texas ($3.62). 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 $2.13 this week, compared to $2.00 a week ago.

Oregon is one of 24 states with higher prices now than a month ago. The national average is one cent less and the Oregon average is 14 cents more than a month ago. Idaho (+31 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase. Delaware (-19 cents) has the biggest month-over-month decline.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have higher prices now than a year ago. The national average is 94 cents more, while the Oregon average is 81 cents more. Oregon has the fourth-smallest year-over-year gain in the country. Indiana (+35 cents) has the smallest. Colorado (+$1.33) has the largest year-over-year jump in the nation.

West Coast

The West Coast region continues to have the most expensive pump prices in the nation with all 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.

Diesel

Diesel prices are higher in 49 states this week. Ohio (+29 cents) has the largest week-over-week jump. Florida (-2 cents) and the District of Columbia (-2 cents) have small week-over-week declines.

For the week, the national average rises 15 cents to $5.62 a gallon, and is now only about 20 cents lower than the all-time record high of $5.816 set on June 19, 2022.

The Oregon average adds 11 cents to $5.67. The record high is $6.47 set on July 3, 2022.

A year ago the national average for diesel was $3.68 and the Oregon average was $4.45.

Source: AAA

Portland Local News