Wallet Feeling a Little Woozy? It Could Be Gas

Another week as we approach the official start of summer (June 21) and another rise in gas prices. Average gasoline prices in Yakima have risen 23.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $5.23 per gallon today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 91 stations in Yakima. GasBuddy officials says prices in Yakima are 59.7 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand $1.75 per gallon higher than a year ago. If you drive a vehicle that runs on diesel the price of diesel is up 11.5 cents nationally in the past week and stands at $5.62 per gallon.

You know where to find the cheapest gas in the valley?

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest gas can be found in Wapato priced at $4.78 per gallon while the most expensive is selling for $5.59 per gallon.
The lowest price in the state yesterday was $4.69 per gallon while the highest was $6.29 per gallon.

The national price has increased more than the local increase

On the national side the average price of gasoline is up 26.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.85 per gallon today. The national average is up 56.0 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.81 per gallong higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

No good news in the future for gas prices

“After a blistering week of gas prices jumping in nearly every town, city, state and area possible, more bad news is on the horizon. It now appears not if, but when, we'll hit that psychologically critical $5 national average," says Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "Gasoline inventories continue to decline even with demand softening due to high prices, a culmination of less refining capacity than we had prior to Covid and strong consumption, a situation that doesn't look to improve drastically anytime soon. Nine states have average gas prices that stand beyond the $5 per gallon mark, with more set to join in the days and weeks ahead. In addition, diesel prices also stand at a record high, a second gut-punch to consumers which pushes prices of most goods higher."

Remember when prices were tolerable

Historical gasoline prices in Yakima and the national average going back ten years:
June 6, 2021: $3.48/g (U.S. Average: $3.04/g)
June 6, 2020: $2.38/g (U.S. Average: $2.02/g)
June 6, 2019: $3.39/g (U.S. Average: $2.77/g)
June 6, 2018: $3.39/g (U.S. Average: $2.94/g)
June 6, 2017: $2.80/g (U.S. Average: $2.36/g)
June 6, 2016: $2.55/g (U.S. Average: $2.36/g)
June 6, 2015: $2.95/g (U.S. Average: $2.76/g)
June 6, 2014: $3.83/g (U.S. Average: $3.66/g)
June 6, 2013: $3.83/g (U.S. Average: $3.63/g)
June 6, 2012: $4.20/g (U.S. Average: $3.56/g)