Gas prices rise locally, nationwide

MOSES LAKE — Average gas prices in Grant County and across the nation rose slightly. While in Washington, the average stayed the same for the second week in a row and Adams County saw a slight decrease, according to AAA. 

In Grant County, there was a four-cent increase compared to last week's average of $4.30. This week, prices sit at an average of $4.34, or the same as a month ago, according to AAA.  

Adams County saw a slight decrease this week, the fourth in a row, with prices sitting at around $4.27. As of a month ago, prices were sitting at $4.32, a five-cent difference from now, according to AAA.  

Both Grant and Adams counties remain in the middle of the fuel price range for the state, according to AAA. San Juan County is the most expensive in the state at $5.34, a seven-cent increase from last week, according to AAA. Asotin County remained the cheapest at $3.76, which is a three-cent increase from last week. 

Washington saw an average of $4.37 for the second week in a row, according to AAA. As of a month ago, prices were around three cents less expensive than now. As of a year ago, prices are around two cents higher now than in 2024. The highest recorded average price for June 16 is $5.56 in 2022.  

Washington remains the third most expensive state to purchase gasoline, with only California at $4.73 and Hawaii at $4.47 to be the only states with higher prices in the nation.  

Nationally, gas prices have dropped to around $3.14, which is around two cents more expensive than last week's average of $3.12. The current average is around five cents cheaper than a month ago, which was sitting at $3.19. Gas prices are significantly cheaper now than a year ago, when gas was sitting at around $3.45 or $0.31 more.  

Car maintenance 

Coby Botello, a mechanic technician at Columbia Basin Auto Repair, recommends two services for cars made after 2016: an oil flush and fuel injection service.  

“So, oil flush is just cleaner,” Botello said. “You put it in your oil, run it for a few hours, and it just cleans up all the carbon buildup in your engine. A fuel injection service, we’ve got a sprayer (that) sprays it into your intake and cleans off your valves.” 

He said both of these services also help with older cars, but he especially recommends them for new vehicles.  

An oil flush, which includes an oil change and a fuel injection service, will cost around $500, depending on the year, make and model, Botello said.  

“It keeps your car running happier for longer, saving you money on fuel in the long run,” he said.