The official start of summer happens on June 20 but the unofficial summer driving season is already underway and gas prices are on the rise again this week. Over the last week Yakima gas prices are up 0.8 cents per gallon selling for an average of $3.49 a gallon. That's a higher price than drivers were paying just a month ago when gas was 9.0 cents cheaper. And gas is now 97.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. According to GasBuddy price reports the cheapest station in Yakima is priced at $3.06 a gallon while the most expensive is $3.79 a gallon with a difference of 73.0 cents per gallon.
On the national side gas is up 1.6 cents per gallon selling for an average of $3.07 a gallon. GasBuddy says the national average is up 3.7 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 97.7 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
"We've seen the national average gas price continue to inch higher as oil prices have reached $71 per barrel, the highest since 2018, as gasoline demand continues to rebound," says Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "Strong gasoline demand as states and cities reopen will likely continue to be a major factor keeping gas prices elevated even as oil production climbs in the months ahead. With most additional supply being gobbled up very quickly, gas prices will likely stay at elevated levels for the foreseeable future. Motorists can continue to fight the high gas prices by remembering to shop around each time they get below half a tank."

Historical gasoline prices in Yakima and the national average going back ten years:
June 14, 2020: $2.52/g (U.S. Average: $2.09/g)
June 14, 2019: $3.36/g (U.S. Average: $2.69/g)
June 14, 2018: $3.39/g (U.S. Average: $2.91/g)
June 14, 2017: $2.80/g (U.S. Average: $2.31/g)
June 14, 2016: $2.58/g (U.S. Average: $2.38/g)
June 14, 2015: $2.98/g (U.S. Average: $2.81/g)
June 14, 2014: $3.84/g (U.S. Average: $3.66/g)
June 14, 2013: $3.77/g (U.S. Average: $3.62/g)
June 14, 2012: $4.09/g (U.S. Average: $3.53/g)
June 14, 2011: $3.90/g (U.S. Average: $3.69/g)

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:
Tacoma- $3.68/g, down 0.5 cents per gallon from last week's $3.68/g.
Seattle- $3.74/g, up 0.3 cents per gallon from last week's $3.73/g.
Washington- $3.53/g, down 1.4 cents per gallon from last week's $3.54/g.

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