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Key Takeaways
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Gas prices have jumped to $4.18 a gallon—the highest level since August 2022—after a brief dip earlier this month.
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Prices are up $1.20 per gallon since the end of February, when the Iran conflict began and oil markets started surging.
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Gas prices vary widely by state, with only a few holding below $3.70 while several top $5 a gallon.
Gas Prices Are Rising Again as Oil Prices Move Higher
Gasoline prices have climbed back to a new high after a brief period of relief, as the Iran conflict continues to drive volatility in oil markets and push fuel costs higher. The recent easing at the pump has now reversed, with shifting expectations around the conflict lifting prices again.
The national average for regular gasoline jumped 7 cents Tuesday to $4.18 per gallon, according to AAA, surpassing the previous peak of $4.17 reached on April 9. In between, prices drifted lower for nearly two weeks as optimism built for a potential resolution to the conflict.
But that dip has now been fully erased as crude oil climbs again amid renewed uncertainty about the conflict’s trajectory—pushing gas prices back to levels not seen since August 2022.
Gas Prices Back on the Rise After Brief Dip
Before the recent surge, drivers had been enjoying relatively low prices at the pump, with the national average holding below $3 for most of December, January, and February—the first sustained stretch in that range in almost five years. Since then, however, prices have climbed $1.20 per gallon to today’s high.
Why This Matters to You
Gas prices are back at multiyear highs after a brief dip as oil prices climb again. With wide differences by state, what you pay will depend largely on where you fill up.
What Drivers Are Paying for Gas Across the U.S.
Gas prices rose in every state but Hawaii and Arizona Tuesday, with most increases less than 7 cents. But a handful saw much larger jumps, with Indiana, Ohio, Delaware, and Michigan each surging 15 to 20 cents per gallon.
Drivers in Oklahoma continue to see the cheapest price at the pump—at $3.57—with Kansas, Georgia, and Arkansas being the only other states holding below $3.70. All 50 states have averaged above $3 per gallon since March 11.
Average Gas Prices by State—April 28, 2026
At the high end, five states continue to average $5-plus per gallon. California tops the list at $5.97, followed by Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. The price difference between California and Oklahoma is $2.40 per gallon.
Meanwhile, 22 additional states currently average above $4, for a total of 27 states—plus Washington, D.C.—sitting above this threshold.
Note
The national average briefly topped $5 per gallon in June 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted global oil supplies. Demand had surged after the pandemic, making the price spike even more severe.
Why Gas Prices Vary So Much Depending on Where You Live
Gas prices can look very different depending on where you live—and those gaps remain pronounced even when national prices shift. The differences reflect how fuel is taxed, produced, and delivered across the country.
Fuel taxes are one of the biggest drivers. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, federal and state taxes accounted for more than 14% of the average price per gallon in 2023. Because some states levy significantly higher gasoline taxes and fees than others, those costs show up clearly at the pump.
Geography and infrastructure also play a role. States closer to major refineries or pipeline networks often benefit from lower transportation costs, while more isolated markets can face supply constraints that push prices higher.
In some cases, environmental rules add to the divide. California, for example, requires a cleaner-burning gasoline blend that relatively few refineries produce, contributing to its persistently higher prices.
When oil prices rise sharply—as they have in recent days—those built-in cost differences can amplify the impact in already expensive states. Even when crude prices later fall, these underlying factors remain, helping explain why price gaps across the U.S. can stay wide.
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