Drivers in Washington are paying some of the highest gas prices in the U.S. Right now, averages sit around $5.36 statewide and roughly $5.59 in the Seattle area, compared with about $4 nationally, according to AAA. And with global events layered on top of Washington’s already elevated costs (driven in part by policies like the state’s gas tax and cap-and-invest carbon program) prices could climb even further.
Some experts warn that oil prices, which directly influence what you pay at the pump, could spike if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed. If it reopens within the next couple of weeks, prices might level off slightly above current levels, Ryan Cummings, chief of staff at the Stanford Institute of Economic Policy Research, told Axios. However, if the closure drags on—say it’s still shut by the end of May—then “all bets are off,” Cummings said, with the possibility of gas reaching $10 a gallon at some of Seattle’s priciest stations this spring.
Even so, there’s no immediate reason to panic. Some stations around Seattle are still charging less than the current $5.59 average (and prices are as low as $4.79 in the Tacoma area—worth noting if you’re nearby). For some drivers, going out of the way to find slightly cheaper prices can be worth it.
Here’s the local list of lowest prices as of April 3:
- ARCO (Northgate)
Price: $5.05
Address: 10822 Roosevelt Way NE - 7-Eleven (Northgate)
Price: $5.25
Address: 12355 15th Ave NE - QFC (Shoreline)
Price: $5.19
Address: 1531 NE 145th St - ARCO (Bitter Lake)
Price: $5.29 (Cash)
Address: 14424 Greenwood Ave N - 76 (Fremont)
Price: $5.29 (Cash)
Address: 4600 Fremont Ave N - Shell (Fremont)
Price: $5.46
Address: 4605 Fremont Ave N - 76 (North Beacon Hill)
Price: $5.35 (Cash)
Address: 2415 Beacon Ave S - ACRCO (Beacon Hill)
Price: $5.29 (Cash)
Address: 5620 Martin Luther King Jr Way - Safeway (Rainier Valley)
Price: $5.39
Address: 3820 Rainier Ave S - Costco (SODO)
Price: $5.29
Address: 4401 4th Ave S - ARCO (Delridge)
Price: $5.39
Address: 7301 Delridge Way SW - 7-Eleven (West Seattle)
Price: $5.39
Address: 9200 35th Ave SW - 76 (West Seattle)
Price: $5.39
Address: 7427 Fauntleroy Way SW - 76 (West Seattle)
Price: $5.44
Address: 4001 California Ave SW - SPACE AGE (West Seattle)
Price: $5.29
Address: 7580 35th Ave SW - Safeway (White Center)
Price: $5.29
Address: 2615 SW Roxbury St
Finally, here are a few tips that can help offset gas costs if implemented consistently. According to USA Today, these are practical adjustments that can help with rising gas prices:
- Drive less when possible: Carpooling, combining errands, or taking public transit can reduce how often you need to fill up. With the Crosslake Connection now open, Seattle-area riders can also take the 2 Line to travel between Seattle and the Eastside.
- Skip premium gas if your car doesn’t require it: Premium typically costs 20–40 cents more per gallon, and most vehicles run just fine on regular unless the manufacturer says otherwise.
- Use apps to find cheaper stations: Tools like GasBuddy, Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps make it easy to compare nearby prices and pick the lowest one.
- Pay with cash: Some stations add 10 cents or more per gallon for credit card purchases, so cash can sometimes get you a better deal.
- Fill up midweek: Prices often tick up heading into the weekend, so Tuesday or Wednesday can be cheaper times to buy.