Spring break is just around the corner, and if you’re driving to take some time off, you’ll be shelling out a good bit more at the pump. 

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas in the Tri-Cities was at $4.77 on March 16, according to AAA. That’s nearly 40 cents up from a week ago and roughly $1 more a gallon than prices were a month ago and at this time last year. 

The highest gas prices in the state are on the west side, pushing the statewide average to $4.90 a gallon. 

GasBuddy, an online gas price tracker, showed several Tri-City stations selling regular unleaded for as low as $4.34, though those prices may require payment in cash or participation in membership or loyalty programs. 

A week ago, AAA said prices were comparable to what they were in the spring of 2024 and that the annual seasonal climb in prices was coinciding with the onset of warmer weather and more drivers getting behind the wheel for road trips. Gas demand increased by a million barrels per day recently and domestic production is growing in response. 

However, multiple news outlets note that military attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel have added to price increases, as Iran cut off oil tankers leaving and entering the Persian Gulf. Crude prices hit $120 a barrel in recent days. AAA noted that the federal government is releasing 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves over four months in a bid to lower prices. The move is part of a broader effort by the International Energy Agency to release a total of 400 million barrels of oil, the largest emergency release in its history.