After a month-long reign as the second-most expensive state to purchase fuel in, Washington's fuel prices have dropped below Hawaii's.
Prior to this past month, prices were most expensive in California, then Hawaii and then Washington. On Sept. 15, everything changed with Washington topping the charts, beating both Hawaii and California. This only lasted one week. However, several factors, including a shutdown at a major pipeline, helped Washington to top Hawaii for several more weeks.
Washington fuel prices are now sitting at around $4.42, or six cents less expensive than last week. The most expensive state, California, is sitting at $4.64, and Hawaii is trailing close behind at $4.47. The current Washington average is around 20 cents less than it was a month ago at $4.62. As of a year ago, prices were 36 cents cheaper in the state at $4.06.
"This drop is overwhelmingly being driven by the significant increase in oil production from OPEC throughout 2025, which has meaningfully rebalanced the global oil market," reads a statement from Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "That, combined with weaker demand and inflation finally easing, has created the perfect environment for lower prices. While some may be quick to assign political credit, the reality is that global supply dynamics — particularly OPEC's production decisions — have been the primary force behind the relief drivers are seeing at the pump."
Nationally, prices also saw relief for drivers, with prices sitting at $3.03 as of Monday. As of a week ago, prices were sitting at $3.08, or five cents higher. As of a month ago, prices were 16 cents higher, and as of a year ago, prices were 15 cents higher.
Both AAA and GasBuddy predict drivers will see the national average fall below $3 in the coming weeks for the first time since 2021.
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