Oregon - Nationwide Gas Prices Hit All-Time Highs

In Salem, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.37, up a whopping 45-cents from one month ago.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Gas prices in Oregon and throughout the U.S. hit all time record highs today, as the price for a barrel oil briefly went over $109 during Tuesday's trading at the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in the U.S. is now at $3.22. That's up from 2.95 one month ago, and up 68-cents from one year ago. Hawaii has the nation's highest price at $3.60, while New Jersey is the cheapest at $3.00 a gallon.

In Oregon, prices reached an all-time high at $3.42 a gallon, up 6-cents from one week ago. That's also up 45-cents from one month ago, and up a staggering 67-cents from one year ago. In Salem, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded today is at $3.37, up 5-cents from one week ago. Portland-Vancouver, Eugene-Springfield, and Medford-Ashland metro areas have also hit all-time highs at $3.40, $3.45, and $3.48 a gallon respectively. Oregon′s gas prices are the fourth highest in the nation.

In California the average price is now at $3.58, Washington is at $3.49, Idaho comes in at $3.20, and Nevada is now $3.29 a gallon.

Diesel prices in Oregon are up this week a whopping 13-cents to $3.81 per gallon, compared to $2.68 a week ago. The national average also hit an all-time high today at $3.84 a gallon.

Gas prices are expected to continue their upward trend as the summer driving season nears. In some states, gas prices are now the highest they have been since the record-breaking costs after Hurricane Katrina in September 2005.

Analysts say oil could go as high as $120 a barrel, or higher within the next few months as demand continues to rise through the summer.

Reporters Note: Prices are based on Tuesday's AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report