Gas prices continue to rise in the Pacific Northwest and the U.S., according to the latest reports from AAA Oregon/Idaho. The association reports that the national average rose 6 cents over the past week to $2.39 per gallon. Washington weighs in at $2.90 per gallon.
The price increases are driven up jointly by increased demand in the summertime, as well as more expensive summer-blend fuel now in supply.
Vancouver and Portland saw prices rise 1 cent over last week and about 7 cents from a month ago, to $2.86 and $2.77 per gallon, respectively.
The West Coast continues to be the most expensive region for gas, with Hawaii, California, Alaska, Washington and Oregon rounding out the top five states with the highest gas prices. Hawaii and California both notched prices higher than $3 per gallon, according to the report.
The cheapest region for gas is the southeastern United States. Gas in Mississippi and South Carolina costs $2.18 per gallon and $2.13 per gallon, respectively.
