Another Week Another Rise in Gas Prices

Another week and another rise in gas prices in Yakima. Officials from GasBuddy says gas prices this week are up 7.2 cents per gallon selling for an average of $3.34 per gallon. Gas prices in Yakima are 15.4 cens per gallon higher than a month ago and they're also $1.07 higher than a year ago. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy says "the nation's gas prices perked up again last week as oil prices advanced to fresh multi-year highs on Covid improvements overseas and the switch to summer gasoline, which is basically now complete. Last week saw the national average hit its highest level in two years, and with continued recovery in gasoline demand, the increase in price is likely to continue into the future. Americans may now want to brace themselves for the possibility of a $3/gal national average in the weeks ahead, as demand remains strong as Americans take to the roads. The question going forward is how much demand will continue to recover and rise- will it lead to record summer gasoline demand? We indeed may see some weeks with new records as Americans get in their cars this summer- but the question is how many will do so? That will determine how much higher prices will go."

GasBuddy has provided historical gasoline prices in Yakima and the national average going back ten years:
May 3, 2020: $2.27/g (U.S. Average: $1.75/g)
May 3, 2019: $3.38/g (U.S. Average: $2.90/g)
May 3, 2018: $3.17/g (U.S. Average: $2.82/g)
May 3, 2017: $2.88/g (U.S. Average: $2.36/g)
May 3, 2016: $2.34/g (U.S. Average: $2.22/g)
May 3, 2015: $2.70/g (U.S. Average: $2.62/g)
May 3, 2014: $3.81/g (U.S. Average: $3.68/g)
May 3, 2013: $3.58/g (U.S. Average: $3.52/g)
May 3, 2012: $4.01/g (U.S. Average: $3.80/g)
May 3, 2011: $3.98/g (U.S. Average: $3.97/g)

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:
Tacoma- $3.54/g, up 5.6 cents per gallon from last week's $3.48/g.
Seattle- $3.58/g, up 1.3 cents per gallon from last week's $3.57/g.
Washington- $3.40/g, up 4.5 cents per gallon from last week's $3.35/g.