Oregon Public Broadcasting

AAA of Oregon says that gas prices may have peaked for the summer.  Spokeswoman Marie Dodds says the statewide average in Oregon is at $2.78 a gallon.

She says gas prices usually top out around the July 4th holiday, and this year appears to be holding to that pattern.

Dodds says prices could even slide a little more.

Marie Dodds: “Now before I say that for sure I always have to say if we have a major storm, some kind of geopolitical event, anything that threatens the flow of gas or oil, then all bets are off, and we could see prices go up again.”

Dodds says that crude oil prices are at a six-week low, after rising quickly during the first half of the year. 

She says those prices rose because investors were feeling optimistic about the economy’s ability to rebound.  Now, Dodd says, consumers see a more lingering recession, and that’s keeping a lid on crude oil prices. 

This week, Oregon has the sixth most expensive gas in the country, and Washington state has the fourth priciest.