MOSES LAKE — Gasoline prices continued to climb across Washington and the Columbia Basin this week, with both Grant and Adams counties posting double-digit increases from a week ago as motorists continue to pay some of the highest fuel prices in the nation. 

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Washington reached $5.26 on Aug. 24, up 7 cents from $5.19 a week earlier. The national average also increased, rising to $4.10 per gallon from $4.06. 

In Grant County, the average price increased 10 cents over the week to $5.25 per gallon, while Adams County rose 11 cents to $5.32 per gallon. 

The upward trend extends beyond the past week. One month ago, on July 27, the statewide average was $5.11 per gallon, meaning drivers are paying 15 cents more today. Grant County's average has climbed 25 cents since then, from $5.00 per gallon, while Adams County has jumped 29 cents from $5.03. 

Compared with a year ago, the increases are even more significant. AAA reported Washington's average price at $4.40 per gallon Aug. 25, 2025, while the national average stood at $3.16. 

The current Washington average is 86 cents higher than a year ago, while the national average is up 94 cents. 

Grant County motorists are paying 85 cents more per gallon than they were a year ago, when the average was $4.40. In Adams County, prices have increased 97 cents from $4.35 per gallon a year ago. 

Washington remains the third-most expensive state in the nation for gasoline, trailing only California at $5.62 per gallon and Hawaii at $5.41. 

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said rising fuel costs continue to affect most states. 

“Gasoline, while not at all-time records, is at its highest level ever recorded this late in the calendar year, meaning Americans could for the first time ever see a national average price of gasoline above $4 per gallon on Labor Day – eclipsing the previous record of $3.83 per gallon set in 2012,” De Haan said. “While some oil shipments are apparently getting through the Strait of Hormuz, the dominant force propping up both gasoline and diesel prices is increasingly the growing loss of Russian refinery capacity, as continued Ukrainian attacks knock more facilities offline and constrain the global supply of refined fuels. Until that refining supply picture improves, both gasoline and diesel prices face continued upward pressure.” 

Taxes continue to be a factor in Washington fuel prices. 

According to the Washington Department of Revenue, the state gasoline tax was 49.4 cents per gallon from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2025. Combined with the federal gasoline tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, motorists paid 67.8 cents per gallon in fuel taxes. 

Beginning July 1, 2025, Washington's gas tax increased to 55.4 cents per gallon, raising the combined state and federal tax burden to 73.8 cents per gallon. 

The tax increased again July 1, 2026, to 56.5 cents per gallon. When combined with the unchanged federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, drivers now pay 74.9 cents per gallon in state and federal gasoline taxes before other fees and costs are added. 

Despite remaining below the spring peak of $5.78 per gallon reached in May, fuel prices have risen steadily through August. Washington drivers now pay an average of $1.16 more per gallon than the national average, while motorists in Grant and Adams counties continue to see prices near or above the statewide average.