Washington reaches record-high fuel prices

MOSES LAKE — Gas prices in Washington hit a record high Monday at an average of $5.67. The previous record was set in 2022 at $5.56, according to AAA. 

Patrick De Haan, head petroleum analyst at GasBuddy, said there were sharp increases across the nation this week for both gasoline and diesel. He cited refinery outages and ongoing conflict in the Middle East as potential causes.  

“With so many moving pieces, the outlook remains highly fluid, and while some localized relief may emerge, broader price volatility is likely to persist in the near term,” De Haan said in a statement.  

In Grant County, there was a 23-cent increase from last week to Monday, bringing prices to a county average of $5.50. Grant County currently sits 17 cents under the state average.  

However, as of a month ago, prices were sitting at $5.11, or 39 cents cheaper than current. This is around a 7.63% increase from the beginning of April to now. A year ago, prices in the county were sitting at $4.28. Fuel prices have increased by $1.22 or 28.5% since last year.  

Adams County has seen a similar trend, with a 25 cent increase this week, bringing prices up to $5.44. The county is currently 23 cents under the state average though.  

There has been a 7.3% or $0.37 increase in prices from the beginning of April when prices were sitting at $5.07 to current costs. Comparing prices from a year ago, Adams County had an average of $4.72, meaning the county has seen a 15.25% or $0.72 increase since last year.  

Washington experienced a 19-cent increase this week, bringing fuel prices up to $5.67. As of a month ago, prices in the state were sitting at $5.38, meaning the state saw a 29.45% or 29-cent increase since the beginning of April.  

Looking back to 2025, prices were sitting at $4.26, or $1.41 less expensive than current. The state has seen a 33.1% increase since last year.  

Washington remains the second most expensive state to purchase fuel in, with only California being more expensive at $6.11. 

Nationally, the average saw a 35-cent increase, bringing prices up to $4.46. A month ago, the average was sitting at $4.10, or 36 cents cheaper than the current. This means there has been an 8.78% increase since the beginning of April.  

As of a year ago, prices were sitting at $3.17, or $1.29 more expensive than current. This means prices have increased nearly 40.7% since last year.