Key Points
- Gas tops $5 in five WA counties now.
- State average hits $4.92 nearing record.
- San Juan leads at $5.909 per gallon.
- Refinery issues drive 77-cent monthly rise.
- Taxes, blends amplify 2026 price surge.
Washington (Evening Washington News) March 16, 2026 – Gasoline prices have surpassed $5 per gallon in several Washington counties, with the state average reaching $4.920 as of March 16, approaching the all-time high of $5.555 recorded in June 2022, according to AAA data. This surge, up 77 cents in the past month alone, places Washington drivers at a 32% premium over the national average of $3.718, amid refinery disruptions and seasonal factors. Residents in high-cost areas like San Juan County face $5.909 averages, while even cheaper spots like Asotin remain above $4 per gallon.
Which Washington Counties Have Gas Prices Over $5?
San Juan County tops the list with an average of $5.909 per gallon for regular unleaded, encompassing regular, mid-grade, premium, and diesel fuels, as detailed in AAA's latest county database. Skamania follows at $5.224, Wahkiakum at $5.199, Pacific at $5.198, and King County home to Seattle at $5.172, reflecting urban demand pressures. These figures represent averages across fuel types and are updated daily by AAA, showing a clear divide in regional pricing.
As reported by MyNorthwest.com staff in their March 16 article, these counties highlight the most expensive refuelling spots, with San Juan's island location exacerbating logistics costs. Grays Harbor County has also seen stations cross $5, with a local average of $4.71 as of March 16, up from $4.34 on March 5, according to The Daily World. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted in a February 25 piece by The Daily World that localised supply constraints, including Olympic Pipeline disruptions, have amplified pressures in the Pacific Northwest.
What Is the Current Washington State Gas Average?
The statewide average for regular gasoline stands at $4.920 as of March 16, 2026, per AAA's fuel prices page, with mid-grade at $5.130, premium at $5.398, and diesel at $6.014. This marks a climb from yesterday's $4.888, week's prior $4.630, month's ago $4.150, and year's ago $4.078. MyNorthwest.com confirmed this $4.920 figure on March 16, noting it nears the 2022 peak amid a 77-cent monthly rise.
Earlier in February, NBC Right Now reported on February 23 that prices hit $4.35, ranking Washington third-highest nationally behind California and Hawaii, with a 50-cent monthly surge. The Daily World on February 25 cited GasBuddy data showing $4.33 after a 17-cent weekly jump, the highest since late October. By March 2, AAA data via KVI.com pegged it at $4.369, 46% above the national average. These trends show relentless upward momentum into mid-March 2026.
Why Are Washington Gas Prices Rising So Fast in 2026?
Experts point to the seasonal switch to summer-blend gasoline, which is costlier to produce due to lower volatility for warmer weather, starting earlier on the West Coast. As reported by Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy in The Daily World on February 25, refinery outages and Olympic Pipeline disruptions have created localised supply constraints, with maintenance set to intensify. NBC Right Now on February 23 echoed this, linking the 50-cent rise to blend switches and noting Washington's third-place national ranking.
Yahoo Finance on February 21 detailed a 47-cent monthly increase to $4.29, attributing it to refinery maintenance before the summer transition and higher crude oil costs, which form the bulk of pump prices. Regional factors include the West Coast's distance from oil hubs, tighter supplies, and transport costs, plus stringent environmental regulations. KVI.com on March 3 highlighted the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a cap-and-trade programme since 2023, where suppliers buy carbon allowances passed to consumers, alongside high state gas taxes rising to 55.4 cents per gallon in July 2025. State Senator John Braun, as cited in a Reddit discussion referencing his statements, blamed regulations, taxes, and CCA for Washington's outlier status despite five in-state refineries.
The Columbian on March 16 noted the excise tax increase and 2% annual adjustments contributing to the jump. Wenatchee Business Journal on March 8 reported a 29-cent weekly rise to levels 55.8 cents above a month prior.
How Does Washington's Average Compare Nationally?
Washington's $4.920 dwarfs the national average of $3.718, a $1.202 gap or 32% premium, per AAA on March 16. It ranks third-highest, trailing California's $5.526 and Hawaii's $4.958, as per MyNorthwest.com. NBC Right Now on February 23 placed it third at $4.35 versus $2.95 national and Idaho's $2.97. KVI.com on March 3 noted $4.369 was $1.372 above national, with Seattle at $4.585 (53% higher).
Yahoo Finance confirmed third place behind California and Hawaii at $4.29 in late February. Forks Forum on February 26 reported $4.23, 42.2 cents above a month ago but only 20.2 cents over last year, while national diesel rose to $3.686. This isolation stems from West Coast dynamics, per analysts.
Asotin offers the lowest at $4.266, followed by Garfield ($4.509), Lincoln ($4.521), Spokane ($4.546), and Stevens ($4.565), per AAA via MyNorthwest.com. AAA's map categorises counties from $4.673 to $4.266 as lowest. Spokane metro averages $4.552 for regular. These remain above national figures, underscoring statewide pressures.
KVI.com noted even low-end counties exceed national averages significantly.
When Did Washington Last See Such High Gas Prices?
The state record for regular is $5.555 on June 16, 2022; diesel $6.465 on June 30, 2022, per AAA. Current $4.920 nears this, with metro highs like Seattle's past peak of $5.693 in 2022. The Daily World on February 25 called $4.33 the highest since late October 2025. MyNorthwest.com recalled September 2025 as the top nationally. The 2026 climb mirrors 2022 volatility but builds on policy-driven baselines.
Drivers face strained budgets, with Seattle-area prices at $5.114 regular, up 75 cents monthly. KVI.com on March 3 highlighted 43-cent monthly and 23-cent yearly rises accelerating costs. The Seattle Times on March 10 described Seattle drivers agonising over rapid weekly climbs tied to Mideast disruptions. Clarkston residents cross to Idaho for cheaper fuel, per earlier reports exacerbated in 2026.
A 46% premium means thousands extra annually for commuters, per KVI analysis. Spring break demand adds pressure, as AAA news notes rising pump prices with higher travel.
Who Is Tracking Washington Gas Prices Daily?
AAA provides daily updates via gasprices.aaa.com, showing county, metro, and state trends with historicals. GasBuddy surveys 2,666 stations, as in Forks Forum's February 26 report of $4.23 average. Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy frequently comments on surges. MyNorthwest.com aggregates AAA data for county lists. US Energy Information Administration tracks from $3.79 in January to $4.18 mid-February. Planned refinery maintenance intensifies, per De Haan in The Daily World. Summer blends and global oil hikes loom, with Wenatchee noting national 51-cent weekly rise. CCA costs persist, as critics like Braun argue. Olympic Pipeline issues may recur. However, if crude stabilises, relief possible, though West Coast lags nationally.
Yahoo's February 21 analysis warns of rapid transmission from oil to pumps. As of March 17, trajectories point upward barring interventions.
How Do Metro Areas Compare in Washington?
Seattle-Bellevue-Everett leads metros at $5.114 regular, $6.136 diesel; Bremerton $4.992; Tacoma $4.973; Olympia $4.956. Vancouver $4.873; Bellingham $4.849; Richland $4.812; Spokane $4.552 lowest metro. All up sharply: Seattle from $4.364 monthly ago. Highest historicals like Seattle's $5.693 underscore vulnerability.
These reflect density, taxes, and supply chains.