Gasoline prices in the United States surged again on Monday as the conflict in the Middle East entered its tenth day, putting additional pressure on American drivers at the pump, reports Baltimore Chronicle via NY Times. According to the latest data from the AAA motor club, the average cost of gasoline across the country now stands at $3.48 per gallon, marking an increase of nearly 17 percent since the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Prices have not reached this level since 2024, highlighting the growing impact of geopolitical tensions on energy costs.
The escalation in military actions triggered a sharp rise in global oil prices, which crossed the $100-per-barrel threshold on Monday. Iran has reported additional missile launches toward Israel in response to the expanding U.S.-Israeli military operations. These developments are directly affecting the supply of crude oil from the Persian Gulf, a region responsible for approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil output. Tankers carrying oil from the area have been delayed or rerouted, creating disruptions in the international energy market.
Rising oil costs are affecting multiple sectors beyond gasoline, including diesel fuel for trucks and tractors, as well as jet fuel for airlines. The total price that consumers pay at the pump is influenced not only by crude oil costs, which account for roughly 60 percent of gasoline prices, but also by taxes, refinery profit margins, and distribution expenses. This explains why prices vary significantly across states: for instance, Californians paid an average of $5.20 per gallon over the weekend, the highest nationwide, whereas Kansas drivers paid just $2.92 per gallon, the lowest in the country.
Gasoline prices typically adjust to oil market fluctuations with a short delay, usually from a few days up to a week. As refiners face higher costs for crude oil, they increase the price of the fuels delivered to gas stations, airports, and other distribution points. Analysts expect fuel prices to continue rising in the coming days if oil prices remain elevated or climb further.
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