Yakima Gas Prices Creeping Up

Hello, My name is Joe Biden and I'm your new President. Oh and by the way, it's going to cost you.  In truth, he didn't say those exact words but what he did say was he was stopping the Keystone XL pipeline and he was putting a freeze on oil drilling on federal land.

Do the math.  That adds up to higher prices at the pumps in Yakima and elsewhere.

According to GasBuddy, "Yakima gas prices have risen 2.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.75/g today, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 91 stations in Yakima. Gas prices in Yakima are 17.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 25.0 cents per gallon lower than a year ago."

So we are still lower than last year but prices are climbing.  (and don't forget the potential of a Washington State gas tax hike)

So you have your favorite gas stop, most of us do but is your stop the most economical stop. (read that as "cheapest" gas)

GasBuddy says the cheapest gas in Yakima is priced at $2.35/g today while the most expensive is $3.19/g,   So why would anyone knowingly pay 84 cents a gallon more?  Ask your neighbor, because somebody is doing it!

Yakima's high and low numbers are quite comparable with the State's high and low prices...just 3 cents more than the state low and 11 cents less than the state high.

Historical gasoline prices in Yakima and the national average going back ten years:
February 15, 2020: $3.00/g (U.S. Average: $2.45/g)
February 15, 2019: $2.74/g (U.S. Average: $2.31/g)
February 15, 2018: $2.92/g (U.S. Average: $2.54/g)
February 15, 2017: $2.68/g (U.S. Average: $2.28/g)
February 15, 2016: $1.92/g (U.S. Average: $1.69/g)
February 15, 2015: $2.12/g (U.S. Average: $2.25/g)
February 15, 2014: $3.27/g (U.S. Average: $3.33/g)
February 15, 2013: $3.42/g (U.S. Average: $3.65/g)
February 15, 2012: $3.41/g (U.S. Average: $3.52/g)
February 15, 2011: $3.22/g (U.S. Average: $3.12/g)

Patrick De Haan is the head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. He says, "The rise in gas prices continues to be driven by improving demand in the United States, and has nothing to do with who sits in the White House, but rather how many motorists are filing their tanks on a daily basis. ...the situation won't get better, just wait until spring, it's likely the national average will rise another 10 to as much as 50 cents per gallon if oil production doesn't respond to the continued recovery in demand."

De Haan is pointing to the Arabian oil group OPEC which is holding back on production as a big part of the problem of a stagnant supply and growing demand.  Fair enough, but keep watching.