Whether premium gas prices hit $2 a gallon is yet to be seen in Jefferson and Clallam counties.

But it’s certainly possible if the North Olympic Peninsula continues to follow national trends.

But there may be some good news — one industry analyst says the upward price trend may be easing.

As of Sunday, the price of premium gas was well above $1.90 a gallon at many Peninsula gas stations.

The highest price for premium — $1.9509 a gallon — was found in Port Angeles on Sunday at Fairmount Texaco, U.S. Highway 101 at Fairmount Avenue.

“Twenty bucks doesn’t go very far!” Port Angeles resident Mike Sutton said Sunday while filling his gas tank at Arco on Eighth and Lincoln streets.

At Arco, the regular unleaded gas price was at $1.6909 a gallon, the lowest price for regular in Port Angeles.

“I just need enough to get to the golf course, but it’s too much,” said Sutton. “It should be coming down — instead of going up.”

Sutton said gas prices in general are approaching the consumer-gouging stage.

Another motorist pumping gas at the station said she did not want to be quoted for the record.

“What I have to say about it you probably wouldn’t want to put it in the paper,” she explained.

Just a month ago, the Peninsula average was about $1.45 a gallon.

In early January, many stations in Port Townsend and Port Angeles were selling fuel for $1.30 a gallon or less.

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The rest of the story appears in Monday’s Peninsula Daily News. Click on SUBSCRIBE to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.