Trump In Shock After Gas Prices Jump

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Drivers heading out Tuesday morning were met with an unwelcome surprise at the pump. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline climbed by 11 cents in just one day, based on new figures from the motor club AAA.

According to Patrick De Haan, who oversees petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, the jump may have been even slightly higher—closer to 12 cents. He described it as the sharpest single-day increase since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine four years ago. During that period, fuel prices remained above $4 per gallon for about five months and briefly moved past the $5 mark.

Despite the sudden surge, De Haan indicated in a Tuesday post on X that he does not currently expect the national average to reach $4 per gallon in the near future.

Prices had already been trending upward before the recent military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran. One contributing factor is the seasonal transition to summer-grade gasoline, which is more costly to produce. However, the larger influence appears to be rising crude oil prices. On Tuesday, oil futures climbed to levels not seen in over a year.

Crude oil costs play the most significant role in determining what Americans pay at the pump. When oil prices rise, consumers typically feel the impact within a matter of weeks.

A review of AAA data shows that nearly 30 states experienced an increase of at least 10 cents per gallon between Monday and Tuesday. Three states saw prices surge by more than 20 cents in just 24 hours.

The states with the largest one-day increases include:

  • Ohio: up 23 cents to $3.004
  • Georgia: up 22 cents to $3.010
  • Indiana: up 20 cents to $2.999
  • Florida: up 19 cents to $3.068
  • Iowa: up 18 cents to $2.809

In contrast, Washington state recorded the smallest daily change, rising just one cent to $4.381 per gallon. California continues to have the highest statewide average, at $4.674 for regular gasoline.

Looking at week-over-week changes, the increases are even more pronounced in some areas. Wisconsin leads the nation in that category, with prices climbing approximately 33 cents over the past week to reach $2.863 per gallon. In total, 15 states have posted weekly gains of at least 20 cents.

It remains uncertain when prices might ease. Escalating tensions involving Iran have disrupted tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments. This narrow channel at the entrance to the Persian Gulf handles roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.

Oil tankers passing through the strait—bordered to the north by Iran—transport petroleum from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran itself. A significant portion of that oil is destined for Asian markets. While limited pipeline alternatives exist in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, most shipments moving through the strait have no other viable exit route from the region, underscoring its critical importance to global energy markets.