Higher Gasoline Prices Continue to Hit Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s new statewide average gasoline price is up to $1.72 as of Monday while the nation’s gasoline average jumped six cents on the week to reach $1.81 a gallon, according to AAA Oklahoma and its weekly Fuel Gauge Report. The Oklahoma average is 8 cents more over the last week.

Lawton has the cheapest gasoline in the state with a $1.60 a gallon average, an increase of nearly 8 cents a gallon over the past week. Idabel is at $1.66 while the average in Guymon is $1.67 a gallon. Idabel’s average represented a 15-cent jump over the past week.

Stillwater and Grove have the highest average at $1.74 per gallon. Oklahoma City has an average of $1.71 while the average in Tulsa is $1.70, a dime more than one week ago.

“The overall trend for gas prices in Oklahoma is still upward but we’ve seen some recent dips,” said Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma.

The blame for the price hike is put on refineries where work is underway to reduce production in preparation for the seasonal switchover to summer-blend gasoline.

“Prices generally move during this time of year and the impact of this shift in schedule, combined with other seasonal factors, may cause prices to swing locally at a faster rate than normal as supply and demand seek their balance,” explained Mai. “The lower price of crude oil and abundant supplies should keep a ceiling on how high gas prices move in the coming months.”