US average gasoline price tops $4 per gallon for first time since 2022

Gasoline climbs as surging oil prices, driven by Middle East tensions, lift fuel costs nationwide

The average gasoline price in the US climbed above $4 per gallon Tuesday for the first time since 2022 as fighting in the Middle East triggered a sharp rise in oil prices. Data from the American Automobile Association (AAA) showed the national average gasoline price rose to about $4.02 per gallon, up from $3.99 on Monday. It marked the first time since August 2022 that the average gasoline price in the US exceeded the $4 threshold. Gasoline prices in the US were up 1% from a week earlier, while rising nearly 35% compared to a month ago. On an annual basis, gasoline prices were also up about 27%. Prices continued to vary across states due to differences in supply conditions and tax rates, with California posting the highest average at nearly $5.89 per gallon. California was followed by Hawaii at $5.45, Washington at $5.35, and Oregon and Nevada at $4.93. The average gasoline price stood above $4 per gallon in 12 states and Washington DC. Meanwhile, the average diesel price in the US climbed to $5.45 per gallon, up 45% from a month earlier. The increase in fuel prices was driven by supply-chain disruptions and production cuts linked to tensions in the Middle East, which sharply pushed up global oil prices. The US average gasoline price last hit a record of about $5.02 per gallon in June 2022.​​​​​​​