Community Corner
Gas Prices Here Below State Average
With prices falling nationally, Lakewood drivers could buy a gallon for $3.91 on Monday at one station in town.
Contrary to how it may seem, gas prices are falling.
And while prices in Lakewood remain higher than the national average, drivers here appear to be getting a slight break compared to their counterparts in other cities across Puget Sound.
Nationally, the price declined for a fifth consecutive week for an average of $3.79 a gallon as of Monday, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That is down 3.8 percent from the 2012 peak of $3.94 reached on April 2.
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However, prices in Washington remain above the national average with the AAA auto club reporting Monday that the average cost for a gallon of regular gas is $4.08. That is the same price as a week ago and down 6 cents in a month.
Lakewood's gas prices remain lower than those of larger cities including Tacoma ($4.07), Olympia ($4.08), Seattle-Bellevue-Everett ($4.10) and Bremerton ($4.06).
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According to Tacoma Gas Prices, the Arco on South Tacoma Way and 100th Street is charging $3.91 for a gallon of regular gasoline, while Shell on Steilacoom Boulevard and Bridgeport Way is $3.96 a gallon. Several stations in town are $3.99 a gallon, and the ever-popular Safeway station in Lakewood Towne Center is $4.01 a gallon before Club Card discounts.
The cheapest gas in the area is $3.89 a gallon at the Tacoma Costco. Only members of the wholesale warehouse are able to purchase gas there.
The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the EIA in April forecast a record $3.95-a-gallon summer driving season. Even with the recent drop, prices are near the record average high for a summer driving season, which was $3.81, in 2008.
