Gas prices have risen over a dollar a gallon on average since the U.S. and Israel launched a joint war against Iran on Feb. 28.
Higher gas prices are impacting consumers and businesses as many households continue to face wider cost of living strains.The average price of gas in LA County is nearly $6 a gallon. Lauren Coronado reports for the NBC4 News at 6 a.
m. on March 30, 2026.prices jumped past an average of $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022 as fuel prices continue to soar worldwide amid the. In Los Angeles County, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline reached $6 on Tuesday while the statewide average hit $5.88. According to motor club AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $4.02 — over a dollar more than before the war began. The last timeThe price is a national average, meaning drivers in some states — like California, Illinois, Nevada and Arizona — have been paying well over $4 a gallon for a while now. Prices vary from state to state due to factors ranging from nearby supply to differing tax rates.launched a joint war against Iran on Feb. 28, the cost of crude oil — the main ingredient in gasoline — has spiked and swung rapidly. That’s because the conflict has caused deep supply chain disruptions and cuts from major oil producers across theHigher gas prices are impacting consumers and businesses as many households continue to face wider cost of living strains. And as drivers pay more to cover necessities like gas, many may be forced to cut their budgets in other places. More expensive fuel can also push up other spending, from utility bills to the price of many goods consumers buy each day. Consumer prices and the cost of living already have become flashpoints in this midterm election year, with Democrats especially hammering found that 45% of U.S. adults are"extremely" or"very" concerned about being able to afford gas in the next few months, up from 30% shortly after Trump won the 2024 presidential election with promises to lower costs.In the immediate future, analysts point to groceries, which have to be restocked frequently and could also see price hikes as businesses’ transportation costs pile up. But hauling other cargo and packages has also been impacted. The United Postal Service, for example, is seeking a U.S. diesel prices — the fuel used for many freight and delivery trucks — is now going for an average of $5.45 a gallon, up from about $3.76 a gallon before the war began, per AAA. In California, diesel soared to $7.45 a gallon from $5.10 a month ago. If the war drags on, it’s possible that those prices could tick up even higher. Most tanker movement in the . That’s led to cuts from major producers in the region who have no way of getting their crude to market. Meanwhile, Iran, Israel and the U.S. have all struck oil and gas facilities, worsening supply concerns. of oil from emergency stockpiles of member nations. That includes the U.S., despite Trump initially downplaying the need for reserve oil.It's not yet clear if those efforts will bring relief for consumers. A lot of factors contribute to gas prices. Refineries buy crude oil in advance, meaning some could be work with more expensive oil for a while, and it will take time for any new supply to trickle down to consumers. And while steep crude prices are a leading driver behind today’s surge, U.S. gas prices typically tick up a bit at this time of year. More drivers are hitting the road and trying to fuel up while they can, so there’s higher demand. Warming weather also brings a shift to summer blend fuel, which is more expensive to produce than winter blend. Drivers are feeling the dent in their wallets as gas prices rise accross the country. News4's Susan Hogan explains different ways on how to save money on gas.The U.S., which is a net oil exporter, hasn't seen as stark a shock as other parts of the world that rely more heavily on fuel imports from the Middle East, Oil is a globally-traded commodity. And most of what the U.S. produces is light, sweet crude — but refineries on the East and West coasts are primarily designed to process heavier, sour product. As a result, the country also needs imports. Escalating geopolitical conflicts have disrupted oil flows and contributed to a surge in gas prices in the past. The U.S. average for regular gasoline climbed to its highest level of more than $5 a gallon Prices at the pump later fell from that record. Before Tuesday, per AAA data, the national average had stayed below the $4 mark since mid-August of 2022.
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