A Record Week for Gas Price Increases

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.Com

August 19, 2005
Gas prices had a record week, setting a new price record almost every day. Drivers around the country are now paying an average of $2.60 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline and in some areas of the country the price is pushing $3.50 a gallon.

The $2.60 a gallon average is up 8 cents over four days and marks a new record according to AAA. One year ago, the average price stood at $1.87. The difference is 73 cents.

A barrel of crude oil for future delivery was trading at $64.30 by week's end.

The nation's cheapest gasoline can be found in Monroe City, Mo., at $2.09 a gallon. Some folks in Long Beach, Calif., are paying $3.49.

Here’s a look at prices around the country:

Oregon: Gas prices across the state rose by nine cents over during the week, to hit an average of $2.60 a gallon. Analysts are now wondering whether prices in the state might hit $3 before the end of the year.

Statewide, gas prices are highest in the Medford-Ashland area, where a gallon of gas now averages $2.74. In Portland, the average is $2.51; in Eugene, it's $2.60.

Oregon's average gasoline price is 8th highest in the nation.

Memphis: Record high gas prices have drivers shelling out an average of $2.51 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline.

The high prices at the pump have some people resorting to low tactics to fill up their tanks.

In east Memphis, police say a man who couldn't afford to fill his tank got so irate he assaulted the station attendant and even threatened to kill him. Most station workers say they are getting an earful from angry customers. They warn customers that they don't set the prices.

Texas: Gasoline prices across the state rose by record numbers this week, including in the Houston area, where the average cost for a gallon of self-serve regular shot up by 24 cents.

Prices in Houston averaged $2.56 a gallon, compared to $2.32 the week before. Statewide, the average was $2.54, up from $2.32.

The Galveston-Texas City area saw the biggest jump of 25 cents a gallon to $2.58.

Maui: The price of regular unleaded has already topped $3 a gallon at some stations on Maui.

According to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the average price of a gallon of regular on Maui sits at a record $2.97. Hawaii's statewide average also hit a record of $2.76, in Honolulu a record $2.67 and in Hilo a record $2.81.

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