SPOKANE, Wash. — It’s not just your imagination, gas prices jumped significantly this week.
Gas prices in Spokane are around $3.79 a gallon on average. That’s over $0.27 per gallon higher than last month, according to AAA.
In Coeur d’Alene, gas prices also jumped up to $3.26 per gallon, $0.34 more per gallon than last month.
“There’s not really anything I can do about it,” said Vanessa Lane while filling up on Wednesday. “It raises my blood pressure.”
Spokane driver Robin Davis says to afford gas, you just have to “do what you have to do. If you want to go to point A to point B, you need fuel.”
Unfortunately for some, that can mean deciding between gas for your car or food on your dinner table.
“I think it’s ridiculous,” Davis said.
According to Gas Buddy, the whole West Coast is seeing this surge in cost.
Many West Coast refinery sites are undergoing maintenance and are offline, causing a ripple effect in prices among the states.
There are a few ways you can save a few extra bucks at the pumps. The first is to sign up for loyalty or rewards programs that can save a few cents per gallon each time you fill up. You can also shop around for the cheapest prices.
Another way to save that might surprise you: make sure your tires are inflated. It helps with gas mileage.
Gas Buddy expects the surge to level out in the next few weeks, but don’t feel too relieved. The seasonal switch in types of fuel blends will happen before you know it.
