Gasoline and diesel fuel prices climbed again in Oklahoma in the past week with gasoline increasing 2 cents a gallon reaching a statewide average of $2.42 a gallon. The increases are part of a nationwide movement seen as marketers continue to get rid of winter-blend gasoline to make room for summer storage.
AAA Oklahoma reports the new average compares to the national average of $2.66 a gallon, which increased a nickel over the past week.
Diesel fuel in Oklahoma averages $2.70 a gallon, up two cents from last week. It compares to the $2.23 paid a year ago. Nationally, the diesel fuel average is $2.97, 3 cents higher than last week.
Oklahoma City prices include a new average of $2.39 for gasoline and $2.70 for diesel fuel. The gasoline average is the same as a week ago while diesel fuel prices rose 2 cents a gallon.
Tulsa’s gasoline price average is $2.43, an increase of 4 cents over the past week while diesel fuel is at $2.65, up from $2.59 reported last week at this time.
Lawton continues having the cheapest prices with an average of $2.29 a gallon, up two cents from a week ago. Diesel fuel goes for an average of $2.71 a gallon, two cents higher than last week.
Gasoline prices in Texas are at an average of $2.43 a gallon while in Kansas, the average is $2.47 a gallon. Arkansas is at $2.38 while Missouri is at $2.40 and the average in Colorado is $2.51 a gallon.
The jump in prices comes as the federal government reported the U.S. exported nearly 1.1 million barrels of gasoline a day to other countries last week. That’s the fourth largest export rate on record and the highest so far this year.
Gas prices are edging up across the country as the market continues to purge winter-blend gasoline to make room for summer storage. At $2.66, the national gas price average is 5-cents more expensive on the week and 11-cents more expensive than two weeks ago.
“Today, only 38 percent of U.S. gas stations are selling gasoline for $2.50 or less and that percentage will likely dwindle in coming weeks,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “The holiday weekend, strong demand and preparation for summer gasoline are all factors that have driven and will continue to drive higher gas prices into early spring.”
