PORTLAND -- Gas prices continue to climb above year-ago prices. The trend began last week after more than 100 days of holding below 2011 prices.
Triple-A says the national average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.72. This price is 5 cents more than one week ago and 29 cents more than one month ago. It's also 14 cents more expensive to pump gas than last year at this time.
Gas prices in the Northwest are nearing the $4 mark. In Oregon and Washington, the average is $3.96 per gallon, or 24 cents more than the national average. That's an increase of about 11 cents in the last week.
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But there could be relief in site, according to Patrick DeHaan of GasBuddy.com.
"As the West Coast and Great Lakes see refining issues in the rear view mirror, as well as the end of the summer driving season approaching, we may see a new downward pattern develop," he said. "We could see average prices falling--especially after mid-September--a pattern that could dominate the gas pump until the holiday season."
