Washington Lottery: Washington Lottery to give free gas for Quick Picks
Washington Lottery officials plan to give drivers some relief during a week in which AAA Washington said gas prices set a state record.
On Friday, drivers who purchase $10 in quick pick Mega Millions tickets at three Safeway fuel centers in Washington are eligible for 10 free gallons of regular unleaded or diesel gasoline.
"We've worked ahead of time with police to provide a traffic plan, and there are going to be people out there managing traffic," lottery spokeswoman Jacque Coe said. "Last year the lines were long; people started lining up by 5 a.m."
The first 200 non-commercial vehicles at Safeway centers in Auburn and Spokane are eligible for the offer, which lasts from 6 to 9 a.m. The offer extends to the first 100 non-commercial vehicles at the Kennewick Safeway fuel center.
The Washington price for a regular gallon of unleaded gas hit $3.45 Monday — 25 cents higher than the national average and 33 cents more than Washington prices a month ago, according to AAA.
The odds of winning Friday's Mega Millions drawing is 1 in 175,711,536 with a $1 ticket, Coe said. To win the jackpot, which was at $25 million on Monday, a player must match six lottery balls. Second-place winners, which have odds of about 1 in 3.9 million, match five lottery balls for $250,000.
"That would buy you a significant amount of gas, even at today's prices," Coe said.
Safeway Fuel Centers participating in Friday gas giveaway
Auburn: 101 Auburn Way S.
Spokane: 10100 N. Newport Highway
Kennewick: 2825 W Kennewick Ave.