Gas Prices Down But Still Spendy For Thanksgiving Travel

It's still expensive but gas prices are down 0.7 cents per gallon in the past week in Yakima selling for an average of $3.77 a gallon today, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 91 stations in Yakima.

Even though prices are down they're still more than $1 more than a year ago

GasBuddy officials say prices in Yakima are 2.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and a $1.11 per gallon higher than a year ago.
Where will you find the cheapeast gas in the valley? In Wapato at $3.23 per gallon.
The lowest price in the state today is $2.95 per gallon while the highest is $4.39 per gallon, a difference of $1.44 a gallon.

Could prices be trending down for the upcoming holidays?

"With oil prices plunging nearly $10 from the recent peak of $85 per barrel, motorists will start to see gas prices decline nationwide, just in time for Thanksgiving, and the decline could stretch for several weeks," says Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "It's not impossible- so long as oil prices hold near these levels or continue falling- that the national average could shed 15 to 30 cents per gallon over the coming weeks, while some areas like California could see declines of as much as 25 to 40 cents. While there's reason to be optimistic that the peak of gas prices will soon be behind us, the decline in the price of oil is likely reflecting the possibility of a coordinated global release of oil from strategic reserves. If that doesn't happen, oil could again rally. However, with Covid cases on the rise again reducing global demand, it does seem the most likely outcome will be a drop in gas prices that could last several weeks."

Gas prices are also down around the nation today

The national average price of gasoline is down 1.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.39 per gallon today. The national average is up 2.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.30 per gallon higher than a year ago.

Historical gasoline prices in Yakima and the national average going back ten years:
November 22, 2020: $2.66/g (U.S. Average: $2.10/g)
November 22, 2019: $3.24/g (U.S. Average: $2.60/g)
November 22, 2018: $3.25/g (U.S. Average: $2.55/g)
November 22, 2017: $2.93/g (U.S. Average: $2.52/g)
November 22, 2016: $2.60/g (U.S. Average: $2.13/g)
November 22, 2015: $2.39/g (U.S. Average: $2.07/g)
November 22, 2014: $3.03/g (U.S. Average: $2.82/g)
November 22, 2013: $3.25/g (U.S. Average: $3.22/g)
November 22, 2012: $3.51/g (U.S. Average: $3.43/g)
November 22, 2011: $3.73/g (U.S. Average: $3.33/g)

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:
Tacoma- $3.88/g, down 2.6 cents per gallon from last week's $3.91/g.
Seattle- $4.03/g, unchanged  from last week's $4.03/g.
Washington- $3.80/g, up 0.4 cents per gallon from last week's $3.79/g.