State Policies Continue To Drive Higher Fuel Costs

A potential agreement between the Trump administration and Iran could bring relief to drivers across the country, but experts say Washington residents are still likely to pay some of the highest gas prices in the nation. GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan says reopening the Strait of Hormuz would help stabilize global oil supplies and could lead to lower gasoline and diesel prices in the coming months. Washington's average gas price has already fallen by roughly 23 cents over the past month as markets anticipate a possible agreement. However, De Haan says state-specific factors continue to keep Washington prices well above the national average, including the state's gas tax, cap-and-invest program, and broader West Coast refining challenges. Washington drivers currently pay about $1.50 more per gallon than the national average, and upcoming gas tax increases could widen that gap further. #GasPrices #WashingtonGasPrices #IranDeal #StraitOfHormuz #OilPrices #PatrickDeHaan #GasBuddy #CapAndInvest #WashingtonPolitics #FuelPrices #Inflation #EnergyMarkets #WashingtonState #TheCenterSquare #CostOfLiving