Oregon Public Broadcasting

Gas prices are higher than they've ever been in Oregon and they're likely to rise even more in the coming months.

Pete Springer reports on just how much you will soon be paying at the pump.            

The average price of a gallon of gas in Oregon is now $3.42, which is six cents more than just a week ago—and about twenty-cents more than the national average.

One reason for the rapid increase in gas prices is the cost of crude oil went up twenty-one dollars  a barrel in the past month.

Marie Dodds is the director of government and public affairs for AAA (triple-A) Oregon/Idaho.

Dodds: "Retail prices still have some catching up to do with that spike, so we could see the national average reach $3.50 to $3.90 a gallon in the coming weeks.  And again, that's a national average and as you know, here on the west coast we tend to pay more than other areas of the country so we will probably top out closer to that $3.90 mark."

Dodds says increased gas prices can affect spring and summer vacation road trips.  

Travelers usually don't roam as far-- or as long--  as they do when gas prices are lower.