SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – People in Spokane County are seeing a decrease in the price they pay at the pump compared to last year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of regular unleaded fuel in the Western U.S. declined by 18.1% in September 2024 compared to the previous year.
According to AAA, drivers in Washington are paying well above the national average for a gallon of regular gas, about 85 cents more. However, this remains better than last year when the state average was $4.91 per gallon.
In Spokane County, drivers benefit from some of the lowest prices in the state, with the average standing at $3.79 currently. This is a noticeable decrease from $4.69 per gallon at the same time last year.
Meanwhile, drivers in Columbia County face some of the highest prices in Washington, paying an average of $4.38 per gallon.
In Idaho, AAA shows regular gas is cheaper yet still 23 cents above the national average. Kootenai County drivers enjoy some of the state’s lowest prices, with gas averaging $3.22 per gallon. This is 86 cents lower than a year ago.
With the election year underway, the decline in gas prices has raised questions. A look back at previous election years reveals similar trends.
In September 2020, gas prices fell by 14.2% compared to the previous year, and in 2016, they declined 11.9%.
Post-election years have shown different patterns.
In 2017, after Donald Trump was elected, the cost of regular gas increased by more 14.4%.
In 2021, a year after President Joe Biden was elected, prices surged 39.9% year-over-year.
The impact of decreasing gas prices on the upcoming election remains to be seen.
