This is the last big travel weekend of the summer, but this Labor Day, Washington drivers are seeing the nation’s second-highest gas prices.
Some drivers, like David Coward, say the high prices have drivers in Washington facing a choice.
“You either get mad at it and let it ruin your life, or you can just kind of move on with it- like I said- just roll with the punches, I mean,” said David Coward as he gassed up his pickup truck. “Not a whole lot – I hate to say – that we can do about it.”
Coward said the high prices would not cause him to cancel his trip to Idaho to visit with family and friends over Labor Day weekend.
According to AAA (The American Automobile Association), the national average for a gallon of gas Friday was $4.14, while the price in Washington State was $5.48. That’s up from $4.39 one year ago. While gas prices are soaring, the national average for a gallon of diesel hit a record high $5.85, Friday. In Washington State, the price was higher: $6.81 a gallon, up from $5.02 a year ago.
Gerald Lamb drives a big rig, but he told KIRO 7 he’s lucky his employer covers the cost of his diesel. “Oh my gosh- I couldn’t imagine being self-employed, driving a truck across the country when I’m filling up, you know, $500 dollars, every maybe half a week, depending on the tractor that you’re driving.”
Washington has the third-highest diesel costs in the nation. California ranks first, and Hawaii is second.
Several factors drive high fuel costs in Washington State. It has some of the highest state fuel taxes, at 56.5 cents per gallon of gas and 59.9 cents per gallon of diesel.
Costs due to Washington State’s Climate Commitment Act fluctuate, but in April the energy market tracking group OPUS found it was about 55 cents a gallon.
But the biggest change in fuel prices, year over year, are likely due to the US, Isael war in Iran, which is affecting tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Russia’s war in Ukraine has prompted Ukraine to attack Russian refineries with drones, which is also driving up costs.
The cost of a barrel of Bench Crude oil was $92 Friday; roughly $25 dollars more compared to this time last year.
While high fuel costs may prompt some to drive less, people still have to work and spend time with family and friends. Isaiah Britt suspects they’re spending less on other things so they can pay more at the pump.
Britt is a merchandise manager at Donna’s Travel Plaza. Outside, trucks – from pickups to big rigs – were fueling up for the holiday weekend. Inside, customers can fuel up on hearty breakfasts, sandwiches, and other dishes. Lines of snacks and beverages line the wall. This is where some are pinching pennies.
“I see a little bit of dip in our sales – just for the retail side of things – because people need to get from point A to point B. If they’ve got to sacrifice a snack for the day, that’s what they’ll have to do,” Britt said.
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