Local gas prices fall as summer driving season continues

MOSES LAKE — Drivers in Grant and Adams counties are seeing some relief at the pump after months of steadily rising fuel costs, with gasoline prices continuing a downward trend through early July even as Washington remains home to some of the highest fuel prices in the nation.

According to AAA, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Grant County stood at $4.82 per gallon on July 6, down 68 cents from $5.50 per gallon on June 1. Adams County averaged $4.90 per gallon, down from $5.43 just five weeks earlier.

Washington's statewide average also fell significantly, dropping from $5.71 per gallon on June 1 to $5.03 per gallon on July 6, while the national average declined from $4.32 to $3.79 during the same period.

The recent decreases follow a sharp rise in prices earlier this year. In January, motorists in Grant County were paying an average of $3.79 per gallon, with Washington's statewide average at $3.84. Prices climbed steadily through the spring, reaching a peak of $5.62 per gallon statewide and $5.39 in Grant County during the second week of June.

Despite the recent declines, fuel costs remain above last year's levels. On July 7, 2025, AAA reported average gasoline prices of $4.43 per gallon in Grant County, $4.36 in Adams County, and $4.49 statewide, meaning local drivers are still paying roughly 40 to 50 cents more per gallon than they were at this time a year ago.

GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan said fuel prices have eased across most of the country in recent weeks.

“Average gasoline prices fell in nearly every state over the last week, with diesel declining in all 50, pushing the national average to approximately $3.74 per gallon this July 4 – the third most expensive Independence Day on record, but well off the peak of $4.57 per gallon seen in May,” De Haan said.

GasBuddy is now tracking 41 states with average gasoline prices below $4 per gallon, though Washington remains among the most expensive states for fuel. De Haan said international supply issues have limited how much prices can fall.

“Continued Ukrainian attacks on Russian refinery infrastructure have forced Russia to shift from fuel exporter to importer, tightening global supplies and putting upward pressure on crack spreads – explaining why pump prices haven't fallen as sharply as oil prices might suggest,” he said.

While prices remain elevated compared to last summer, local motorists have seen substantial savings since June. Grant County drivers are paying nearly 70 cents less per gallon than they were a month ago, a welcome development as the region moves into the busiest weeks of the summer travel season.

De Haan cautioned that additional declines may be limited. 

“Until the refining supply picture improves, significant further drops at the pump may be limited,” he said.