Gas prices are inching closer to $4 a gallon. Overnight, the average price of regular gas in the U.S. rose to $3.97, according to AAA, more than a dollar higher than when the war in Iran began last month.
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Average gas prices in Utah and Michigan climbed above $4 Tuesday. There are now 11 states with gas prices average more than $4 per gallon. They include:
- California ($5.82)
- Washington ($5.29)
- Hawaii ($5.28)
- Oregon ($4.87)
- Nevada ($4.81)
- Arizona ($4.61)
- Alaska ($4.54)
- Illinois ($4.21)
- Idaho ($4.17)
- Utah ($4.02)
- Michigan ($4)
California has the highest average gas price in the U.S. at $5.82 per gallon, up by $1.19 per gallon from a month ago. Oklahoma has the most affordable gas at $3.26 per gallon, which is still 89 cents more than a month ago.
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The surge in prices over the past month has been triggered by rising oil prices — the result of an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Also, gas prices are starting to climb just as the spring break travel season gets underway.
This time a month ago, gas prices averaged $2.95 per gallon.
The last time average gas prices averaged above $4 per gallon was August 2022, as average gas prices remained above $4 for the months following the start of the Ukraine/Russia conflict.