Tech Insider

People pump gas at a Murphy's USA gas station on March 09, 2026 in Lockhart, Texas.
Americans are feeling the pain of the Iran war at the gas pump.
  • Oil and gas prices across the US have surged amid the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran.
  • Gas prices have been spiking nationwide, with a gallon approaching or exceeding $4 in 30 states.
  • Utah has seen the largest rise in gas prices over the past month, up 52.4%.

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
Cars at a gas station in Toledo, Ohio.
A gas station in Toledo, Ohio. On June 9, 2022, the state average price per gallon jumped above five dollars.

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
Maverick gas station. One of three gas stations located at the intersection of Kipling Pkwy and Colfax Ave. in Lakewood, Colorado on Thursday, December 12, 2024.

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
A Shell gas station in Hyattsville, Maryland, US, on Tuesday July 8, 2025.

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
A pickup truck at a gas station in Miami, Florida.
A gas station in Miami, Florida. The average price of gas per gallon in the state has risen by 35% since February 18.

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
People line up to fill their gas tanks at an Exxon station off Highway 40 on September 29, 2024 in Marion, 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
Old gas station in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Old gas station in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The state saw an average gas price increase of 32.6%.

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
Buc-ee's gas pumps in Robertsdale, Alabama.
Buc-ee's gas pumps in Robertsdale, Alabama. In the past month, the average price of gas per gallon in the state rose by 35%.

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
An aerial view shows a sign displaying prices for gasoline at a station on March 02, 2026, in Chicago, 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
A driver refuels a vehicle at an Exxon gas station in Arlington, Virginia, US, on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025.

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
Gasoline prices are seen at a Chevron gas station in Houston, Texas, on March 16, 2026. Oil prices retreated and equities rose Monday as investors remained focused on the Strait of Hormuz, with US allies pushing back against President Donald Trump's demands to help reopen the key waterway to oil and natural gas tankers.

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
Trucks at Sapp Bros Truck Stop on the east side of Cheyenne Wyoming filling up their gas tanks with gas that costs $3.47 a gallon in August 2021.

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
Gas prices are displayed at a gas station near the drought-stricken Elephant Butte Reservoir, as monsoon rain falls in the distance, on August 16, 2022 near Truth or Consequences, 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
People get gas at a fueling station along Interstate 12 on September 1, 2021 in Hammond, Louisiana. Tropical Storm Ida made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane Sunday in Louisiana and brought flooding, wind damage and power outages along the Gulf Coast

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
A person pumps gas at a gas station as the national average falls under $2 per gallon amid the coronavirus pandemic on April 02, 2020 in Louisville, 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
Vintage car parked next to an old gas station on Highway 61, in Sibley, Mississippi.
An old gas station on Highway 61 in Sibley, Mississippi. The state recorded its highest ever average price of gas per gallon on June 12, 2022, when it reached $4.53.

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
A gas station in Nogales, Arizona, on October 26, 2024.

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
A gas pump in Nashville, Tennessee.
A gas pump in Nashville, Tennessee. In Lewis County, the average price of gas is $3.80 per gallon.

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
Gas station at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Gas station at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in Indianapolis, Indiana. The average price of gas per gallon in the state has risen by 38% in the past month.

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
Lewiston /Idaho /USA_ 19 January 2016 _Car has be pump gas at gasoline station

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
A general view of a fuel pump at a Costco gas station in Spanish Fork, Utah, on March 10, 2026.

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.

Read the original article on Business Insider