Oklahoma Gas Prices Hit 6-Month High

Wednesday, March 28th 2007, 1:48 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gas prices in Oklahoma reached a six-month high on Wednesday but still remain below the national average, according to the latest survey by AAA Oklahoma. One gallon of self-serve regular gasoline cost an average of $2.46 in Oklahoma, an increase of 54 cents over the last two months and the highest average price since Sept. 8, according to AAA's daily Fuel Gauge Report.

Tulsa's citywide price average jumped seven cents overnight, to $2.46 on Wednesday, matching Oklahoma City's current price average.

Despite the recent increases, gas prices in Oklahoma remain among the cheapest in the nation, said AAA Oklahoma spokesman Chuck Mai.

"Typically we're among the three states with the cheapest statewide gas average," Mai said. "We're close to the source ...so transportation costs are low. We have a low gas-tax rate, and we have a great deal of competition."

The nationwide average for self-serve regular gas was $2.60 on Wednesday, AAA reported. Last month the average price was $2.35 and one year ago, it stood at $2.50.

Among the 50 states, California reported the highest average price Wednesday at $3.20 per gallon, followed by Hawaii ($2.98) and Nevada ($2.90).

The five states with lower average statewide gasoline prices than Oklahoma on Wednesday were South Carolina ($2.40), Missouri ($2.42), Tennessee ($2.44); Georgia ($2.45), and Mississippi ($2.45), AAA reported.

Mai said continued hikes at the pump are being driven by a host of factors, including a weak dollar, low inventories and Iran's recent detention of British sailors.

"There's just a lot of uneasiness over what Iran is up to," Mai said. "Because that country controls the Strait of Hormuz, where much of the oil goes through, this has caused quite a lot of anxiety in the market."

To find out what the price of gasoline in your area of Oklahoma, click here.

Related Story:

Oil Prices Rise Above $64 A Barrel