Gas prices rise across the board

MOSES LAKE – Average gas prices rose across the nation, in Washington and in both Grant and Adams Counties, according to AAA. Washington, an outlier in the nation, is the only state in which prices are higher now than a year ago.  

“With Israel and Iran trading attacks over the past week, oil prices have continued to climb —and gasoline prices are following suit, rising at a pace we haven’t seen since last summer,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Few pumps have been immune, with nearly all states seeing gas prices rise over the last week. Now, with the U.S. launching attacks on Iran, oil prices are likely to continue trending higher. That said, I do not expect the apocalyptic spikes being circulated by some so-called influencers on social media — many of which are wildly inaccurate.”  

De Haan said motorists should anticipate a continued increase of around seven to 15 cents this upcoming week. He said the forecast is fluid and could shift quickly depending on global developments.  

In Grant County, there was an eight-cent increase compared to last week's average of $4.34, as of Monday. This week, prices sit at an average of $4.42, which is the highest the county has seen this year, according to AAA. However, it is only a cent increase from the average price a month ago.  

Adams County saw a seven-cent increase to the average with this week's prices sitting at around $4.34, according to AAA as of Monday. Last week, the county had a slight decrease with prices sitting at $4.27. This is a two-cent increase from what the county was sitting in a month ago.  

Both Grant and Adams counties remain in the middle of fuel prices for the state, according to AAA. San Juan County is the most expensive in the state at $5.37, a three-cent increase from last week, according to AAA. Asotin County remained the cheapest at $3.64, which is a 12-cent decrease from last week. 

Washington saw an average of $4.44, a seven-cent increase from last week. The state also managed to be the only one in the nation with higher prices now than a year ago. Prices on June 23, 2024, sat at $4.33, or 11 cents cheaper than now. The rest of the nation saw a slight decrease in prices compared to a year ago.  

Washington remains the third most expensive state to purchase gasoline, with only California at $4.66 and Hawaii at $4.48 to be the only states with higher prices in the nation. 

Nationally, gas prices also saw an increase from last week, with prices now sitting at $3.22, an eight-cent increase from last week. As of a year ago, the average was $3.45 or 23 cents more expensive in 2024.