A picture of increased gasoline prices shows Oklahoma appears to be bleeding statewide as the cost to fill up at the pump shot up this week, confirming some reports that the unexpected shutdown of one refinery will result in higher prices.
AAA described it as stating that the monthslong calm in gas prices “is over.” The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped 4 cents on Tuesday to $3.64 but by Thursday, it was up to $3.71. It was the biggest one-day increase since June 7, 2022.
Oklahoma’s average rose the same amount, moving from $3.35 to $3.39 a gallon as of Thursday. The new average is 15 cents higher than a week ago and 21 cents more than a month ago, according to AAA.
Sixteen counties have the highest averages in the state ranging from $3.48 to $3.78 per gallon. Greer County in the southwest is highest at $3.78 while others included Woods in the north at $3.65 and Ellis and Hughes each at $3.64.
Oklahoma City’s new average as of Thursday, according to AAA, was $3.36, 2 cents higher in one day and 12 cents more than a week ago and 13 cents higher than a month earlier.
Tulsa’s average shot up 5 cents in one day, reaching $3.48 on Thursday and 20 cents more than a week earlier. The average one month ago in Tusa was $3.09.
Oklahoma’s lowest average is in Comanche County where Lawton has prices of $3.10 per gallon. Cotton County along the Red River has an average of $3.17 while Grant County along the Kansas state line averages $3.18.
Oklahoma still has some of the lowest prices in the nation along with neighboring southern states. Averages include $3.46 in Kansas, $3.43 in Missouri, $3.34 in Arkansas and $3.39 in Texas. New Mexico’s average is $3.59 while a drive to cooler Colorado means paying an average $3.92 per gallon.
