Drivers in the Seattle area are facing a significant pinch at the pump this week as gasoline prices continue a rapid upward trajectory. According to a GasBuddy survey of 775 stations, the average price of gasoline in Seattle has jumped 36.7 cents per gallon in the last week, reaching an average of $5.42/g today.

This latest spike means Seattle motorists are now paying 90.6 cents more per gallon than they were just a month ago and 1.15 more than at this time last year.The cost of fuel varies significantly across the city, with prices ranging from a low of $4.25/g to a high of $6.39/g.

National and Regional Trends

The trend is being felt nationwide, with the U.S. average gasoline price rising 24.3 cents in the last week to 3.92/g

Experts believe the national average is likely to hit the $4.00 mark as early as this week, the first time it would reach that level since 2022.

Diesel users are also feeling the heat; the national average for diesel has climbed to $5.227 per gallon, marking its highest point since late 2022. Regionally, prices remain elevated across Washington:

• Tacoma: $5.24/g (up 37.3 cents from last week).
• Washington State Average: $5.23/g.
• Yakima: $4.89/g.

Why Prices are Climbing

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, attributes the surge to a "perfect storm" of seasonal shifts and geopolitical instability. "Gas prices continued to rise nationwide... as seasonal factors, combined with ongoing supply concerns tied to the continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, pushed both gasoline and diesel prices sharply higher," De Haan stated. He also noted that as global oil prices continue to climb, there are "few signs of stabilization," and consumers may soon begin to pull back their spending in response.

Historical Perspective

Today’s prices represent a stark increase compared to recent years. According to GasBuddy data, the average price in Seattle on March 23 over the last five years shows a volatile but generally upward trend:

• 2025: $4.27/g
• 2024: $4.54/g
• 2023: $4.42/g
• 2022: $4.89/g
• 2021: $3.46/g

With the current average at $5.42/g, Seattle drivers are seeing some of the highest historical prices for this date in recent memory