With the Labor Day holiday weekend approaching, the average price of a gallon of unleaded gas has once again topped $4 in Oregon and Washington. AAA says that puts the cost of gas in the Northwest at more than 25 cents a gallon above the national average.
The price is still not as high as it was earlier this summer, but AAA's Marie Dodds says it's unprecedented for gas to top $4 a gallon this late in the summer.
"Every day for the last week or so we've set a new high for this day in history. So that of course is a dubious distinction. But we have never before had $4 a gallon gas at the end of August. And I believe we will continue to set these records for the next few weeks."
Dodds says prices are higher than normal due to production shortages caused by a major refinery fire earlier this month near San Francisco. She says it's too soon to tell what impact Tropical Storm Isaac will have on gas prices in the Northwest.
Idaho remains a relative bargain for gas at an average of $3.70 per gallon. That's just below the national average.
On the Web:
Update on West Coast Gasoline Markets:
http://www.eia.gov/oog/info/twip/twip.asp
AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report:
http://fuelgaugereport.aaa.com
Copyright 2012 Northwest News Network
Copyright 2012 Northwest News Network
