Americans are feeling the effects of the ongoing war in Iran at the gas pump.
Since the conflict started at the end of February, gas prices have been rising across the US, with a gallon of gas surpassing $3 in all 50 states for the first time since 2023. A dozen states have surpassed $4, with 19 others closely approaching at $3.75 or above. In California, the most expensive state for gas right now, regular gas costs an average of $5.88 per gallon.
The war, which has been ongoing after the US and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran on February 28, has sent global oil markets soaring. It has significantly disrupted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping artery through which roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas travel regularly.
On average, gas prices across all US states have risen by 33.38% over the past month, according to AAA’s Fuel Price Tracker. In many states, gas prices are a full dollar higher than they were a month ago. (Gas prices typically vary between states due to factors such as local taxes, proximity to supply, and operating costs.)
We looked at the gas prices reported by AAA on March 30 and compared them with prices reported a month ago. We calculated the percentage increase for each state to determine where prices are rising the most.
In these 20 states, price increases are rapidly outpacing the national average.
20. Ohio
Average gas price: $3.82
Average price one month ago: $2.81
Increase: 35.9%
The Columbus metro area recorded the highest average price per gallon in Ohio at $3.88.
On June 9, 2022, the state average price per gallon jumped to $5.07, the highest in Ohio’s history.
19. Colorado
Average gas price: $3.90
Average price one month ago: $2.87
Increase: 36.0%
The state’s Glenwood Springs reported the highest average prices, at $4.35 per gallon.
Colorado’s highest-ever average gas prices were recorded on June 21, 2022, when the price per gallon reached $4.92.
18. Maryland
Average gas price: $4.01
Average price one month ago: $2.94
Increase: 36.2%
The Washington, DC, metro area in Maryland reported the highest average price in the state at $4.06 per gallon.
Maryland recorded its highest-ever average gas prices on June 14, 2022, when the price per gallon reached $5.02.
17. Florida
Average gas price: $3.95
Average price one month ago: $2.90
Increase: 36.4%
The West Palm Beach-Boca Raton metro area in the state recorded the highest average prices at $4.13 per gallon.
The state’s highest-ever average was $4.89 per gallon on June 13, 2022.
16. North Carolina
Average gas price: $3.76
Average price one month ago: $2.75
Increase: 36.5%
The Wilmington metro area in the state recorded the highest average prices at $3.84 per gallon.
The state hit its highest-ever average on June 13, 2022, when gas cost $4.67 a gallon
15. South Carolina
Average gas price: $3.65
Average price one month ago: $2.67
Increase: 36.7%
In South Carolina, the city of Sumter has seen the highest gas prices, with a gallon reaching $3.74 in the metro area, AAA reported on March 30.
The state set its highest-ever gas price record on June 12, 2022, when a gallon reached $4.61.
14. Alabama
Average gas price: $3.65
Average price one month ago: $2.65
Increase: 37.7%
The Montgomery metro area in the state saw an average price of $3.68 per gallon, the highest in the state.
On June 14, 2022, Alabama recorded its highest-ever average price at $4.63 per gallon.
13. Illinois
Average gas price: $4.21
Average price one month ago: $3.05
Increase: 37.8%
The city of Chicago saw an average price of $4.64 per gallon, the highest in the state.
On June 14, 2022, Illinois recorded its highest-ever average price at $5.56 per gallon.
12. Virginia
Average gas price: $3.89
Average price one month ago: $2.82
Increase: 38.0%
The Washington, DC metro area in Virginia saw an average price of $4.00 per gallon, the highest in the state.
On June 14, 2022, Virginia recorded its highest-ever average price at $4.87 per gallon.
11. Texas
Average gas price: $3.61
Average price one month ago: $2.60
Increase: 39.0%
In Texas, the highest prices were seen in El Paso, where the average gallon price hit $3.93.
The state’s highest recorded average price was on June 15, 2022, at $4.695 per gallon
10. Wyoming
Average gas price: $3.83
Average price one month ago: $2.74
Increase: 39.7%
The highest metro average price in Wyoming was seen in the Cheyenne area, where the average gallon price hit $3.72.
The state’s highest recorded average price was on July 1, 2022, at $4.91 per gallon
9. New Mexico
Average gas price: $3.86
Average price one month ago: $2.76
Increase: 39.9%
The Farmington metro area is seeing the sharpest hikes in the state, with prices hitting $3.94 per gallon, AAA reported on March 30.
The state saw its highest-ever gas prices on June 15, 2022, when a gallon of gas hit $4.83.
7. (tie) Louisiana
Average gas price: $3.61
Average price one month ago: $2.56
Increase: 40.8%
Located in the southeastern region of the state, Houma-Thibodaux recorded the highest average gas price in Louisiana at $3.65.
The state saw its record prices on June 15, 2022, when a gallon reached $4.56.
7. (tie) Kentucky
Average gas price: $3.72
Average price one month ago: $2.64
Increase: 40.8%
At $3.77 per gallon, the Bowling Green metro area is seeing the highest prices in the state of Kentucky.
The state saw its record-high gas prices on June 11, 2022, when a gallon reached $4.80.
6. Mississippi
Average gas price: $3.58
Average price one month ago: $2.54
Increase: 41.1%
Mississippi’s highest average price was $3.63 per gallon in the South Haven-Olive Branch metro area, AAA reported.
The state recorded its highest average on June 12, 2022, when the average statewide price reached $4.53 per gallon.
5. Arizona
Average gas price: $4.68
Average price one month ago: $3.31
Increase: 41.3%
Arizona’s highest average gas price was in Phoenix, where a gallon reached $4.99.
The state’s highest recorded average price was on June 17, 2022, when a gallon hit $5.39.
3. (tie) Tennessee
Average gas price: $3.63
Average price one month ago: $2.56
Increase: 41.7%
The Memphis metro area in the state recorded the highest average price at $3.70 per gallon.
On June 12, 2022, the statewide average of $4.64 per gallon was Tennessee’s highest ever recorded.
3. (tie) Indiana
Average gas price: $3.99
Average price one month ago: $2.82
Increase: 41.7%
The Michigan City-La Porte metro area recorded a price of $4.17 per gallon, the highest county average in the state, AAA reported on March 30.
On June 9, 2022, the statewide average reached $5.23 per gallon, the highest ever recorded in Indiana’s history.
2. Idaho
Average gas price: $4.26
Average price one month ago: $2.97
Increase: 43.4%
The Twin Falls metro area recorded a price of $4.34 per gallon, the highest county average in the state.
On July 1, 2022, the statewide average reached $5.25 per gallon, the state’s highest ever.
1. Utah
Average gas price: $4.20
Average price one month ago: $2.75
Increase: 52.4%
Gas prices are rising more in Utah than in any other US state.
The St. George metro area recorded an average price of $4.28 per gallon, the highest in the state.
On July 1, 2022, the statewide average reached $5.26 per gallon, the state’s highest ever.
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