Gas Prices Declining in Yakima, but Higher Than National Average

Average retail gasoline prices in Yakima have fallen 3.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.84 per gallon as of Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 91 gas outlets in Yakima.

That compares with a national average that has increased 2.3 cents per gallon in the past week to $3.49 per gallon, according to the gasoline price-monitoring website.

Including the change in gas prices in Yakima during the past week, prices Sunday were 5.1 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and 4.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 8.9 cents per gallon during the past month and remains 4.2 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

"The national average has now dropped to its lowest level since February, and with the end-of-the-summer driving season nearing, we'll likely see gas prices continuing the downward trend," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. "While a short-term increase in gasoline prices is never out of the question, as we grow nearer to September, the likelihood of a spike decreases. It won't be long before we'll start to see a few cities seeing averages under $3 per gallon: areas of Tennessee and South Carolina are already getting close," DeHaan said.