
On Monday, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded was sitting at $3.92 statewide, up from $3.84 the week prior
Timothy Schumann
The Center Square Washington
After more than thirteen straight weeks of price declines, Washington fuel prices increased this week.
On Monday, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded was sitting at $3.92 statewide, up from $3.84 the week prior, according to AAA data. This 8 cent increase per gallon marks a sharp reversal in the over three month-long trend of fuel prices in Washington state.Â
“As we head toward February, pump prices will likely dip, barring any jolt in the global oil market,” said AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross in a statement. “But it is likely that the national average prices we saw heading in to Christmas may have been the lows for this winter.”
While fuel prices have been falling significantly when looking at the national average, citizens of the Evergreen State are still firmly on the expensive end of the market nationwide. Washington’s pump prices were again only beaten out by Nevada, California, and Hawaii, who filled out third to first on the list of most expensive states to gas up in.
Compared with the national average of $3.28 per gallon, Washington’s $3.92 makes it 64 cents per gallon higher than that average. This is a full $1.11 off the nation’s least expensive fuel costs of $2.81 per gallon currently paid by Georgians.
In Washington, intra-state variance remains high, spanning a range of $1.23 per gallon across counties. The outliers this week, San Juan and Pend Oreille counties, represent the most and least expensive gas prices statewide at $4.55 and $3.32 per gallon, respectively.
This price variance still largely follows the Cascade Range, with residents to the west paying a higher premium at the pump than residents to the east.
On top of the nation-topping prices, as of Jan. 1st of this year Washingtonians also have a new cap-and-trade tax to contend with. Originally projected to cost an additional 46 cents per gallon, the first carbon auction concluded last month, and that price projection may have been on the high side.
According to previous reporting by The Center Square, Washington Policy Center environmental director Todd Myers thinks that prices may only rise 28 cents per gallon. This is based on 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide selling for $35 per metric ton.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Washington gas prices continue to spike as state readies for carbon auctionsWhile fuel prices have been rising slightly when looking at the national average, citizens of the Evergreen State are still firmly on the expensive end of the market nationwide.
- Transportation commission wants all Washington roads to be toll roadsIn a report submitted to Gov. Jay Inslee and the Washington Legislature, the Washington State Transportation Commission proposed a new tax scheme to replace falling fuel tax revenues.
- Washington Department of Transportation faces $600M projected shortfallResidents of Washington already pay the third highest fuel excise taxes in the nation at 49.4 cents per gallon.
- Washington gas prices reverse course after 13-week declineAfter more than thirteen straight weeks of price declines, Washington fuel prices increased this week.
- Transportation Commission to hear I-5 bridge, tolling technology and airport study updatesThe upcoming Jan. 18 and 19 meeting of the Washington State Transportation Commission will cover several topics including the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project, emerging tolling technologies and possible expansion of commercial aviation in the state.