Clatsop County news briefs for July 9, 2026
Published 9:00 am Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Gas prices continue downward trend
Gas prices continue to move lower this week in almost all states, including Oregon, according to AAA. Gas prices have fallen from year-to-date highs in May of $4.56 per gallon for the national average and $5.35 for the Oregon average, but are still 50-65 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The decreases in pump prices are driven by cheaper crude oil prices which have fallen to their lowest levels since the start of the conflict with Iran. For the week, the national average for regular gasoline falls six cents to $3.79 a gallon. The Oregon average loses 13 cents to $4.56 a gallon.
Gas prices remain significantly more 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 $71 and nearly $113 per barrel. Crude was at $67 per barrel on Feb. 27, the day before the conflict began.
For now, more ships are passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but current numbers are well below the 100 to 130 ships that passed through the waterway each day before the conflict began. 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 strait 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 lowest price of the year so far is $3.33 on Jan. 20. The record high for the Oregon average is $5.548 set on June 15, 2022.
In addition to the conflict in the Middle East, pump prices are also impacted by 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. The East Coast is the last major market to switch to summer-blend fuel.
Quick stats
Hawaii ($5.46) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the second week in a row. The cheapest gas in the nation is in Indiana ($3.06) and Oklahoma ($3.32). Oregon is fifth most expensive for the sixth week in a row.
Source: Original Article
