Traveling for Labor Day weekend? Avoid traffic, find the cheapest gas around Bellingham

Karlee Van De Venter

Whether your Labor Day weekend plans involve a barbecue, camping, time with family or something else, travel costs might seem a little extra expensive this year. With Washington state gas prices the second-highest in the country and mass traffic anticipated in the Evergreen State, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation, you could save cash by planning your trip accordingly.

But since Washington has such a diverse socioeconomic breakdown, the cost of living and products, like gas, varies from county to county. Whatcom County’s average gas price is hovering around $4.92 per gallon.

For over a year, the average national gas price has been lower than the Washington state average. This trend has continued as Washington rose through the ranks to the most expensive gas in the country in June 2023.

Since June, California has taken the crown for most expensive fuel in the states — but Washington is still number two. Both states will run you more than a dollar over the national average per gallon, which according to AAA, is $3.82 per gallon as of August 29.

Currently, California’s average gas price per gallon is $5.29 and Washington’s is $5.10. The cheapest gas in the country is in Mississippi, averaging $3.29.

Drivers in Washington state are cutting down on road trips and using less gas because of soaring prices at the pump. File photo/Fresno Bee
Drivers in Washington state are cutting down on road trips and using less gas because of soaring prices at the pump. File photo/Fresno Bee

Washington gas prices by county

Looking across Washington’s 39 counties, average gas prices range from $4.47 to $5.60. Whatcom County has a county average gas price of $4.94.

Which counties have the most expensive gas? Which have the cheapest? Strategically planning where you gas up this Labor Day weekend could save you quite a bit.

According to AAA, the most expensive gas is in San Juan County for $5.60. The counties with the highest gas prices are:

  • San Juan: $5.60

  • Pacific, Wahkiakum: $5.40

  • Skamania: $5.37

  • Jefferson: $5.32

  • King: $5.30

  • Garfield: $5.18

  • Mason: $5.17

The cheapest gas in Washington is in Asotin County for $4.47. The counties with the least expensive prices are:

  • Douglas: $4.90

  • Yakima: $4.88

  • Lincoln, Stevens: $4.87

  • Pend Oreille: $4.79

  • Spokane: $4.77

  • Asotin: $4.43.

Upcoming construction in Whatcom County

When planning your Labor Day travel route, you should also look for major construction projects impacting traffic to make your trip even smoother. There are less than 10 traffic projects in Whatcom County planned during Labor Day weekend, and the majority of them involve fish passages and barriers.

August

If traveling along SR 539/Guide Meridian Road on August 31, flaggers will be alternating traffic through a single lane at milepost 11 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

September

Drivers may encounter closures of one southbound lane at a time on southbound I-5 for a 12-mile stretch between milepost 243 (north of Nulle Road) and 231 (near the SR 11 and Chuckanut Drive interchange). Expect delays. Closures have been approved:

  • Weekdays between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.

  • Weekends between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

  • Ramp closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. (watch for signed detour routes)

WA’s common holiday traffic routes

The Washington State Department of Transportation offers information for holiday weekend travel ahead of three-day weekends, including popular routes, travel times and planned projects.

During three-day weekends, the most commonly congested routes are:

  • US 2 between Skykomish and Stevens Pass

  • I-90 North Bend to Cle Elum

  • I-5 Lacey to Tacoma

Take the ingredients of building summer Sunday traffic volumes, then add a pinch of late afternoon rains and you get a recipe for northbound stop-and-go traffic jams along I-5 through Lacey and the Nisqually delta on June 18, 2023. Steve Bloom/sbloom@theolympan.com
Take the ingredients of building summer Sunday traffic volumes, then add a pinch of late afternoon rains and you get a recipe for northbound stop-and-go traffic jams along I-5 through Lacey and the Nisqually delta on June 18, 2023. Steve Bloom/sbloom@theolympan.com

These routes do not have alternatives, are commonly used and backed up around holidays. This year, WSDOT is anticipating congestion on these routes during certain times:

▪ August 31

  • I-5 North: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • I-5 South: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

▪ September 1

  • US-2 East: Noon to 3 p.m.

  • I-90 East: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • I-5 North: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • I-5 South: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

▪ September 2

  • US-2 East: 9 a.m. to noon

  • I-90 East: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • I-5 North: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • I-5 South: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

▪ September 3

  • US-2 East: Around 11 a.m.

  • US-2 West: Around 4 p.m.

  • I-90 West: Noon to 5 p.m.

  • I-5 North: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • I-5 South: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

▪ September 4

  • US-2 West: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • I-90 West: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • I-5 North: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • 1-5 South: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪ September 5

  • I-5 North: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • I-5 South: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This year, WSDOT is also expecting congestion further North on I-5, from Bellingham to the Canadian Border:

▪ August 31

  • North: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

  • South: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

▪ September 1

  • North: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • South 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

▪ September 2

  • North: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • South: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

▪ September 3

  • North: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • South: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

▪ September 4

  • North: Noon to 6 p.m.

  • South: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪ September 5

  • North: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

  • South: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

These times are bases on projections from WSDOT. For updated real-time traffic information over the long weekend, visit the Real-Time Travel Map.

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