Thursday, October 1, 2026
The average price of regular unleaded gasoline jumped nearly 25 cents per gallon in the Olympia market over the last week, amid a growing conflict in the Middle East that has rocked the oil industry.
Regular unleaded gas weighed in at $4.793 per gallon on Friday, March 13, up from $4.545 per gallon on March 6, according to data compiled by AAA.
One year ago, the average price was $4.147 per gallon. The highest recorded average price for regular unleaded gas in Olympia stands at $5.571, which was set on June 13, 2022.
Gas prices have been on the upswing in the state of Washington and nation since the United States and Israel launched coordinated military operations against Iran on Feb. 28. The military operations and the response from Iran have crippled the flow of oil in the region, which has led to higher prices.
“To help offset rising prices, the U.S. announced it will release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves over four months,” said AAA in its weekly gas prices report on Thursday, March 12.
“The move is part of a broader effort by the International Energy Agency to release a total of 400 million barrels of oil, the largest emergency release in its history.”
The state of Washington posted the third highest average price for regular unleaded gas in the country at $4.760 per gallon on Friday, up from $4.494 per gallon a week earlier.
California led the pack at $5.416 per gallon on Friday, up from $4.905 a week ago. Hawaii was second at $4.848 per gallon, up from $4.449 a week earlier. The national average was $3.630 per gallon on Friday, up from $3.320 a week ago.
In the state of Washington, the highest average price for regular unleaded gas was recorded in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett market at $4.939 per gallon on Friday, up from $4.702 per gallon a week earlier.
The lowest average price for regular unleaded gas was posted in the Clarkson market at $3.999 per gallon on Friday, up from $3.799 a week ago. AAA tracks 14 markets in the state of Washington.
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TheVirtualOne
Geez! What a waste of time and space for an article that doesn’t add any value to that which is already well known and plastered on every TV, newspaper, and website - literally everywhere. You’re getting lazy JOLT! Spend some time writing about that which is unique and of value to the local community instead of copying the news from everywhere else.
Friday, March 13 Report this
gypsydjango
This is news, regardless of where else one can read about it. We NEED independent journalism. Thank you for covering this latest atrocious assault on our country thanks to the narcissist calling himself a President. No wars, cheaper prices on food and services, all lies. BUT he is deporting folks, citizens and non-citizens, criminals, students, children, professionals, etc etc. if that's what you were counting on. NONE of this needed to happen.
Friday, March 13 Report this
CrazyGranny
Why not just admit that turmoil anywhere, other than the big oil companies' pockets, is the REAL reason the gas prices are shooting up -- AGAIN. My son and his wife gave up and bought electric cars and I don't blame them; if I could afford to do so, I'd do it in a heartbeat!
Friday, March 13 Report this
johnvaneenwyk
The latest attempt to lower gas prices is the betrayal of Ukraine by lifting the sanctions on Russian oil. Seems like a VERY short-sighted plan, but, hey! Isn’t that the norm these days?
As for electric cars being too expensive, take a look at the Chevy Bolt. I bought one in 2023 and am very happy with it. I haven’t checked recently, so hopefully Chevy hasn’t added a lot of bells and whistles so they can raise the price.
Saturday, March 14 Report this
wolfmanner
The U.S. is temporarily easing some sanctions on Russian oil shipments, reflecting global concerns over sharply higher crude prices due to supply shortages stemming from the war in Iran.
Saturday, March 14 Report this
JW
A temporary price spike causes an uproar, but we have a PERMANENT egregious gas tax in WA put in place by Democrats.
Saturday, March 14 Report this
Porter
No comment
Saturday, March 14 Report this
MaKane
No mention of our absurd fuel taxes?
Saturday, March 14 Report this
Pkt3154
This would have been an interesting article if OP had shown where we would compare on gas prices without the crazy increase in gas taxes in the last few years.
Sunday, March 15 Report this
CobraCommander
Look at all the people blaming everything except the preemptive, illegal war against Iran and the disruption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Next, you should blame Joe Biden!
Sunday, March 15 Report this
CobraCommander
You didn't get a wall.
You didn't get a drained swamp.
You didn't get affordable healthcare.
You didn't get an eliminated national debt.
You didn't get new infrastructure.
You didn't get Hillary Clinton locked up.
You didn't get Epstein accountability.
You didn't get a $5k DOGE check.
You didn't get a $2k tariff stimulus check.
You didn't get lower grocery prices.
You didn't get help buying a home.
You didn't get America First.
You didn't get peace.
You lost family, friends, respect, and credibility.
You got what you voted for.
Sunday, March 15 Report this
wolfmanner
"Cobra Commander" only commands the "Voyenka". He leads all 3 members.
Monday, March 16 Report this
ViaLocal
Tell 'em CobraCommander! and also gypsysjango!
Monday, March 16 Report this
DudeGuyOly
Thanks Obama
Monday, March 16 Report this
HappyOlympian
Hey CobraCommander - give credit where it is due! Trump pushing around the evil Danes and their continued occupation of Greenland has been of GREAT BENEFIT TO AMERICA! Certainly, gas costs would BE DOUBLE WHAT THEY ARE NOW if he had not shown GREAT COURAGE in this regard.
Tuesday, March 17 Report this
HappyOlympian
Seriously tho - my favorite quote from the Simpsons more apt than ever - "I fear to look, yet, cannot turn away."
Tuesday, March 17 Report this
CobraCommander
HappyOlympian, yes yes nations are only sovereign if the USA says they are, right?
Making excuses for the trump admin's warmongering isn't a good look, but then again, MAGA knows nothing of taste.
Tuesday, March 17 Report this