Californians have been paying nearly $6 a gallon. See why prices are so high, how they compare historically, and how Trump's Iran blockade fits in.

The average cost of a gallon of gasoline hit $4.18​ on Tuesday, up $1.20 since the conflict in the Middle East started on Feb. 28.

Regional gas prices rose for the second consecutive week to $3.82 per gallon, with analysts expecting further increases.

Rising oil prices are pushing pump costs higher again, with the national average hitting its highest level since August 2022.

Gas prices were at their lowest national average in nearly five years this past January, at $2.81 per gallon, according to a January 2026 report from the American Automobile Association (AAA). Since then,

The national average price for unleaded gasoline is expected to climb and could hit $4.50 a gallon by next week, according to GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan.

Rising oil prices are pushing pump costs higher again, with the national average hitting its highest level since summer 2022.

Michigan gas prices have jumped by more than $1 over the last eight days

Blockade threat in vital strait and Trump’s stance lift crude, pushing pump prices to highest level since 2022