Gas Prices Up After Long Holiday Weekend

Average retail gasoline prices in Yakima have risen 2.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.14/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 91 gas outlets in Yakima. This compares with the national average that has fallen 0.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.77/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Yakima during the past week, prices yesterday were 78.0 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 18.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 1.2 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 88.5 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

"From LA to Chicago to New York, motorists saw a promising trend at the pump this past weekend that continue to edge lower today," said Gregg Laskoski, GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst. "That may run counter to consumer expectations but this is what we've seen in recent years when summer prices showed nominal but gradual decline through June and July. Retail gas prices follow the general direction of crude oil most of the time and our benchmark crude, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) closed last week heading lower ($55.47) well below the 2015 peak of $62/barrel," Laskoski added.