Drivers across most of the country have been getting a break on gas prices, but not on the West Coast.
The average price for a gallon of gasoline is $4.20 in Washington and $4.35 in California. The average price in Oregon is $4.17. That’s up 16 cents from last week.
The average in Tacoma late Monday was $4.245, as listed by thenewstribune.com/ gasprices.
Meanwhile, the national average price dropped 5 cents to $3.73.
Analysts say a shortage tied to refinery issues has caused prices to spike in the region’s wholesale market.
The planned restart of a BP refinery in Washington state failed last week, and five of California’s 12 refineries have reduced production because of scheduled maintenance.
Analysts expect the surge in prices to be short-lived as refineries return to normal production.
The Associated Press