Thursday, October 1, 2026
The average price of regular unleaded gasoline moved closer to an all-time high in the Olympia market, as an ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to roil the oil market.
The price of regular unleaded gas climbed to $5.434 per gallon on Friday, April 3, from $5.374 per gallon on Friday, March 27, according to data compiled by AAA.
The most recent reading leaves the average price of regular unleaded in the Olympia market within 14 cents of the all-time of $5.571 per gallon, which was set on June 13, 2022.
Gas prices have been on the upswing in the state of Washington and the nation since the United States and Israel launched coordinated military operations against Iran on Feb. 28.
The continuing military operations and the response from Iran have blocked the flow of oil in the region due to the country’s control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, which is a key passageway for oil shipments, connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and is bordered by Iran to the north and Oman to the south.
“Crude oil prices have been surging, surpassing $100 (per barrel), as the conflict in the Middle East continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed,” said AAA in its weekly gas prices report, which also noted the national average for regular unleaded exceeded $4 per gallon this week for the first time since August 2022.
The pain at the pump is among the worst in the country for motorists in Washington, which had the third highest average price for regular unleaded in the U.S. on April 3. The average price for regular unleaded gas in Washington was $5.370 per gallon on April 3, up from $5.307 per gallon one week earlier.
California led the way at $5.895 per gallon on April 3, up from $5.844 per gallon a week ago, followed by Hawaii at $5.546 per gallon, up from $5.378 per gallon a week earlier. The national average clocked in at $4.091 per gallon on April 3, up from $3.978 per gallon one week ago.
In the state of Washington, the highest average price for regular unleaded gas was recorded in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett market at $5.602 per gallon on April 3, up from $5.522 per gallon a week earlier.
The lowest average price for regular unleaded gas was posted in the Clarkson market at $4.749 per gallon on April 3, up from $4.599 per gallon one week ago. AAA tracks gas prices in 14 markets across the state of Washington.
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Honestyandrealityguy
Just shameful how much the State of Washington gets for a gallon of gas. Shameful.
Friday, April 3 Report this
TomBoucher
This American Tumwaterian will continue to adapt and change his habits -- an American strength, I believe -- to match whatever price I see at the pump.
Friday, April 3 Report this
TheVirtualOne
To correct an earlier comment about the Washington state gas tax, it is currently $.59 per gallon, making it the third largest in the nation behind California ($.71) and Illinois ($.66), however, that does not include the Climate Commitment Act hidden tax which adds another $.50 per gallon. Including that easily puts WA in first place at $1.09/gallon. Regarding the previous comments about the war’s impact on the price of gasoline, it certainly had increased in the short term due to world oil supply constraints. The political finger pointing is misleading because it doesn’t show the fact that previous administrations allowed, and even encouraged, the growth of Iran’s military and terrorist proxies in the Middle East. Obama and Biden policies were instrumental in the growth of Iran’s military buildup and express pattern of funding Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other factions in the region. The current administration is cleaning up the messes this previous administrations left.
Saturday, April 4 Report this
CobraCommander
Republicans just don't know how to read:
https://www.factcheck.org/2026/03/trumps-claim-about-the-obama-nuclear-deal-and-irans-nuclear-development/
Saturday, April 4 Report this
SamLucy
*** The price to remove nuclear capacity (which race-divider Obama gave Iran with the $1.7B cash--- Not approved by congress, at 2 AM...!!!) is not free...!!! > But Liberals always have no problem giving Other People's money away or defrauding it from us--- and then blaming it on Trump! > TDS loonies
Saturday, April 4 Report this
CobraCommander
SamLucy, Yes yes you care so much about congressional approval...so much in fact that you tried to get the war with Iran stopped because it wasn't approved by Congress, right?
Saturday, April 4 Report this
HotTractor
SamLucky seems to have forgotten that Trump lifted sanction on oil allowing the purchase of approx. 140 million gallons of crude. At the old price of $80/barrel is $11 billion dollars. We just seeing the start of the economic impact of the War/Not a War with Iran. And why is nobody complaining about the record profits the petroleum industry is harvesting?
Saturday, April 4 Report this
CobraCommander
HotTractor - it's because they're all simps for big business and don't really care about regular people. Thats why MAGA doesnt complain about the rampant insider trading going on within their ranks - they just think they'll get some of that action one day. Moral bankruptcy on full display.
Saturday, April 4 Report this
CobraCommander
If trump can start a full blown war, impose sanctions whicb we as consumers pay for, and destroy half of the white house footprint without congressional approval then Obama/Biden can do that too I guess yeah?
Saturday, April 4 Report this
wolfmanner
Gas prices are now dropping big.
Wednesday, April 8 Report this
wolfmanner
Cobra Commander must be drinking his own venom.
Wednesday, April 8 Report this