MOSES LAKE – Last week, Washington led the nation with the highest fuel prices, beating both California and Hawaii. These states have traditionally led the charts this year, according to AAA. This week, California is once again leading the nation at $4.67, with Washington close behind at $4.62, or a four-cent decrease from last week. Hawaii is third in the nation at $4.47.  

“A pipeline outage caused a spike in fuel prices in Oregon and Washington,” reads a Sept. 18 statement from AAA. “Up until today, Washington was the state with the most expensive gas for several days, surpassing California, which is bracing for hikes of its own.” 

However, Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at Gas Buddy, said the nation has begun to transition to cheaper winter gasoline, which will likely help prices decline. 

“We’re still on track to potentially see the national average fall below $3 per gallon for the first time in years this autumn,” De Haan said.  

Grant County saw another slight increase from last week's prices. However, Adams County saw slight relief in prices this week. 

Grant County has a four-cent increase from last week, bringing prices up to $4.58. As of a month ago, gas was 18 cents cheaper than it is now, with prices sitting at $4.40.  

Adams County, on the other hand, saw a four-cent decrease from last week, setting the average fuel price in the county at $4.43. As of a month ago, gas was two cents cheaper at $4.41.  

Grant and Adams counties still remain in the middle of the pack for fuel prices in the state. The most expensive county remains San Juan County at $5.57, or four cents less expensive than last week, according to AAA. Asotin County remains the cheapest at around $4.09, a nine-cent increase from last week.  

The state as a whole saw a slight decrease in gas prices this week. However, as of a month ago, prices were sitting at $4.40, or 22 cents cheaper than now. There has been a 51-cent increase since last year, when prices were sitting at $4.11.  

Nationwide, there was no change in the fuel prices from this week to last, leaving the average fuel price at $3.18. As of a month ago, prices were four cents lower in the nation, with prices sitting at around $3.14. However, as of a year ago, prices were sitting at $3.21, or three cents more expensive.