Don’t expect gas prices to drop anytime soon. They’ve risen 40% nationwide since the beginning of the year reaching this week’s average of $3.13 a gallon. In Oklahoma, the average is up to $2.83 which is two cents higher than a week ago.
A month ago, the Oklahoma average was $2.74 and a year ago, motorists paid on average $1.88 per gallon.
Oklahoma City motorists are paying an average of $2.86, six cents higher than last week and 96 cents more than last year at this time.
Lawton drivers pay an average of $2.72 which is 3 cents more than a week ago. Tulsa’s average is $2.75 per gallon, down four cents from last week but still 92 cents more than a year ago.
The state’s highest prices are in the southwest, the northwest and the southeast. Harmon County is highest at $3.09 followed by Coal County at $3.08. Ellis County has an average of $3.05. Logan County is at $3.02 and Woodward County is at $3.03.
Greer County has an average of $3.01.
The state’s lowest prices are in Medford and Grant County where the average is $2.69.
The American Automobile Association predicts motorists can expect gas prices to increase another 10–20 cents through the end of August, bringing the national average well over $3.25 this summer.
“Robust gasoline demand and more expensive crude oil prices are pushing gas prices higher,” said Jeanette McGee, AAA spokesperson. “We had hoped that global crude production increases would bring some relief at the pump this month, but weekend OPEC negotiations fell through with no agreement reached. As a result, crude prices are set to surge to a seven year-high.”
The last time crude was more than $76.40 and the national average gas price was at $3.25 was November and October 2014, respectively. Prices for crude will exceed this threshold as early as today and gas prices will follow suit in coming weeks, paving the way for a very expensive peak driving season.
Oklahoma’s average of $2.83 compares with $2.80 in Texas, $3.08 in New Mexico, $3.46 in Colorado, $2.87 in Kansas, $2.82 in Arkansas and $2.80 in Missouri.