Central Oregon drivers could see gas prices rise despite recent national dip

CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) -- Drivers in Central Oregon may have caught a small break at the pump recently, but that relief could be short-lived.

According to the Lundberg Survey, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline fell 3 cents over the past two weeks to $4.15 per gallon. However, a sharp increase in oil prices is raising concerns that gas prices could soon move higher.

The survey found oil prices jumped nearly $9 per barrel during the same two-week period. As a result, analysts say gasoline prices are likely to follow oil prices upward, potentially increasing by 10 cents or more in the near future.

For Oregon drivers, gas prices remain well above the national average.

The average price of regular gasoline in Oregon is $4.76 per gallon, which is 61 cents higher than the national average reported by the Lundberg Survey.

Central Oregon motorists are paying slightly less than the statewide average, but still significantly more than drivers across much of the country. A gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Central Oregon costs about $4.66 per gallon, 10 cents below Oregon's average but 51 cents higher than the national average.

The latest numbers mean Central Oregon drivers continue to face some of the highest fuel costs in the nation. And with crude oil prices climbing, any recent savings at the pump could quickly disappear if the upward trend continues.

For drivers planning late-summer road trips or daily commutes across the region, the coming weeks will be closely watched to see whether rising oil costs translate into higher gasoline prices locally.