MOSES LAKE — Gasoline prices continue to edge lower in Washington state, Grant County and Adams County, offering motorists modest relief after reaching record highs earlier this year. However, fuel costs remain significantly higher than the national average as global oil market disruptions and tight diesel supplies continue to influence prices.

According to AAA data, Washington's average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline stood at $5.39 on Oct. 19, down 6 cents from a week ago and 17 cents lower than a month ago. The statewide average remains nearly a dollar higher than the national average of $4.30 per gallon.

Grant County motorists were paying an average of $5.32 per gallon, while the average in Adams County was $5.27, both slightly below the statewide average.

The decline follows a summer surge that pushed Washington to a record average of $5.79 per gallon on May 20, according to AAA. Diesel prices reached their own all-time high of $7.47 per gallon on Sept. 23.

While prices have eased in recent weeks, they remain well above year-ago levels. Washington drivers paid an average of $4.42 per gallon for regular gasoline one year ago, while the national average was $3.04.

Washington ranks as the third most expensive state in the nation for gasoline, behind California at $6.17 per gallon and Hawaii at $5.63. According to the Washington Department of Revenue, motorists in the state pay 74.9 cents per gallon in combined state and federal fuel taxes before other costs are added to fuel prices.

The current trend mirrors fuel markets nationwide. AAA data shows the national average has fallen 6 cents over the past week and 18 cents over the past month.

Industry analysts say several factors are contributing to the recent decline.

"Average gasoline prices declined in the vast majority of states over the last week, led by a combination of state fuel tax suspensions and price-cycling markets working their way back down," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "For now, the outlook remains tied to geopolitical developments, and some price-cycling states could see upward swings in the days ahead if oil markets firm at all."

Despite falling gasoline prices, diesel remains elevated. Washington's diesel average was $7.29 per gallon on Oct. 19, down slightly from $7.44 a week and a month ago, but sharply higher than $5.02 a year earlier.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said diesel markets remain unusually tight because of ongoing global supply constraints. East Coast distillate inventories were 32% below their five-year seasonal average in September and are expected to remain below normal throughout the winter.

The agency also noted that crude oil prices climbed sharply in recent months amid disruptions to Middle East oil production and exports. The benchmark Brent crude oil price averaged $114 per barrel in September, up $23 from August.

Although gasoline prices have retreated somewhat during October, the EIA expects fuel costs to remain historically elevated through the remainder of the year. The agency forecasts the U.S. average gasoline price will be $3.91 per gallon for 2026, compared with $3.10 in 2025. Diesel prices are projected to average $5.19 per gallon this year before gradually declining in 2027.

Locally, gasoline prices remain below statewide averages but have followed the same pattern. Grant County's average price has fallen 18 cents since late September, while Adams County prices have dropped 21 cents during the same period.

Even with recent declines, Washington continues to post some of the highest fuel prices in the nation, with regular unleaded gasoline averaging more than $1 above the national average and diesel remaining among the most expensive in the country. As winter approaches, analysts say fuel prices will largely depend on developments in global oil markets and supply conditions for refined petroleum products.