MOSES LAKE — Gas prices in Grant and Adams counties slipped slightly over the last week, even as Washington and national fuel averages continued climbing amid international supply concerns and rising crude oil prices.

According to AAA data for Sept. 14, the average price of regular gasoline was $5.46 per gallon in Grant County and $5.48 per gallon in Adams County. That was down slightly from Sept. 8, when prices averaged $5.47 in Grant County and $5.55 in Adams County.

Meanwhile, the statewide average increased from $5.51 to $5.56 per gallon over the week, while the national average jumped from $4.15 to $4.32 per gallon.

Compared to a month ago, prices have risen significantly. On Aug. 17, motorists paid an average of $5.15 per gallon in Grant County and $5.21 in Adams County. Current prices are up 31 cents in Grant County and 27 cents in Adams County.

Year-over-year increases have been even steeper. On Sept. 15, 2025, gasoline averaged $4.54 per gallon in Grant County and $4.47 in Adams County. Current prices are 92 cents higher in Grant County and $1.01 higher in Adams County than they were a year ago.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said global events have pushed fuel prices higher nationwide.

“Average gasoline and diesel prices rose in every state over the last week as geopolitical tensions escalated on multiple fronts, with friction between the U.S. and Iran, new hostilities in the Red Sea, and the shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline all combining to jolt prices sharply higher,” De Haan said.

De Haan added that attacks on Russian refineries have further tightened fuel supplies and could lead to additional increases, particularly for diesel.

AAA reported Sept. 10 that the national average rose 13 cents in one week to $4.27 per gallon as crude oil prices climbed back above $100 per barrel due to instability in the Strait of Hormuz.

The increase comes during a time of year when gasoline prices typically decline because of reduced summer travel demand.

Washington motorists are also paying higher fuel taxes than they were a year ago. The Washington state gasoline tax increased from 55.4 cents to 56.5 cents per gallon on July 1, according to the Washington Department of Revenue. Combined with the federal gasoline tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, drivers now pay 74.9 cents per gallon in state and federal fuel taxes before other costs are added.

According to AAA, Washington currently has the second-highest gasoline prices in the nation at an average of $5.56 per gallon, behind only California at $6.00 per gallon.

Statewide prices remain well above the national average, with Washington drivers paying about $1.24 more per gallon than the average U.S. motorist as of Sept. 14.