Thursday, October 1, 2026
Gas prices rocketed to new highs in Olympia and across the state, amid global supply concerns brought on by continued tensions in the Middle East that have roiled the oil market.
The average price of regular unleaded gasoline surged to a record $5.817 per gallon in the Olympia market on Friday, May 8, from $5.635 per gallon on Friday, May 1, according to data compiled by AAA.
The most recent reading was the single biggest jump in weekly gas prices in the Olympia market since the United States and Israel launched coordinated military operations against Iran on Feb. 28.
Despite a ceasefire agreement, tensions between the U.S. and Iran have kept oil tankers from gaining safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, multiple media outlets have reported. That has also impacted the per barrel price of oil.
The Strait of Hormuz, which is a crucial passageway for oil shipments, connects the Persian Gulf with Arabian Sea and is bordered by Iran to the north and Oman to the south.
“Pump prices are now $1.40 higher than they were a year ago and have reached their highest level since 2022, when the national average peaked at $5.01 per gallon,” said AAA in its weekly gas prices report. “While crude oil prices dipped below $100 per barrel amid ongoing negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, gasoline prices continue to face upward pressure from global supply concerns.”
The meteoric rise in gas prices over the last week vaulted the state of Washington over Hawaii as the second most expensive market in the country.
The average price for regular unleaded gas weighed in at a record $5.764 per gallon on Friday, May 8, up from $5.610 per gallon on Friday, May 1. A year earlier, the average price stood at $4.268 per gallon in Washington.
California maintained its stranglehold on the top spot with an average price of $6.160 per gallon on Friday, May 8, up from $6.060 per gallon one week ago.
Hawaii was the third most expensive market in the country with an average price of $5.652 per gallon on Friday, May 8, up from $5.638 per gallon a week earlier.
In the state of Washington, the highest average price for regular unleaded gas was recorded in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett market at $5.955 per gallon on Friday, May 8, up from $5.806 per gallon one week ago.
The lowest average price for regular unleaded gas was posted in the Clarkson market at $5.032 per gallon on Friday, May 8, up from $4.922 per gallon a week earlier. AAA tracks gas prices in 14 markets across the state of Washington.
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DudeGuyOly
thanks Obama
Friday, May 8 Report this
chrispc2u
“Thanks Obama???” Hahaha. Lame deflect. We all know who the orange dotard clown in the Oval Office is NOW. Enjoy your skyrocketed healthcare, grocery, import tariffs and gas prices Trump voters. You got exactly the OPPOSITE of what the Grifter in Chief con artist promised you so enjoy THAT!
Friday, May 8 Report this
CobraCommander
All of this to stop a nuke that didnt exist and to open a strait that wasn't closed.
Saturday, May 9 Report this
Taxpayer
I see that Olympia still has the corner on the most short sighted people who are unwilling to invest or risk anything for future generations. If any of the past 47 years of presidents would have put their money where their mouths were we wouldn't have lost so many of our sons and daughters to terrorists.
Saturday, May 9 Report this
wellnow77
thanks to the orange man! anything to stop the release of the Epstein files. even getting our country in a war that will never be won. very pathetic. thankful that Olympia has free bus service to help those needing transportation and/or who are feeling the pain at the pumps.
Saturday, May 9 Report this
Somney
I just bought an E-Bike.
Sunday, May 10 Report this