Global sanctions against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine have been a factor in an 11% spike in gas prices across the United States, according to AAA.
Which states have the most expensive gas right now?
Some areas of the country are seeing prices of over $5 per gallon. Here are the states with the most expensive gas according to AAA’s nationwide gas price database:
- California: It might come as no surprise that California is seeing the country’s highest gas prices. The average price of a regular gallon of gas in the state is $5.44, mid-grade is $5.60, premium is $5.73, and diesel is $5.83. Some parts of the state have gas prices of over six dollars a gallon, according to The New York Times.
- Hawaii: Closely following California, Hawaii is experiencing prices over $5 a gallon. A regular gallon of gas is $4.71, mid-grade is $4.90, premium is $5.18 and diesel is $4.99 per gallon.
- Nevada: A regular gallon of gas in the state costs $4.67, mid-grade is $4.85, premium is $5.04 and diesel is $4.87 per gallon.
Which states have gas prices over $5?
- Illinois: $5.12 per gallon of premium gas.
- Pennsylvania: $5.13 per gallon of diesel.
Which states have gas near $5 per gallon?
- Oregon: Regular gas is $4.58, mid-grade is $4.70, premium is $4.91, and diesel is $4.92 per gallon.
- Washington: Regular gas is $4.54, mid-grade is $4.67, premium is $4.86 and diesel is $4.88 per gallon.
- Alaska: Regular gas is $4.50, mid-grade is $4.56, premium is $4.79 and diesel is $4.59. per gallon.
- New York: Regular is $4.36, mid-grade is $4.58, premium is $4.82 and diesel is $4.99 per gallon.
Why are gas prices so high?
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The U.S. is experiencing the highest gas prices since the 2008 recession. This is due partly to sanctions against Russia, preventing the country from exporting crude oil, reported Reuters.
- Even before the war between Russia and Ukraine was causing tensions on energy supply, “rapidly rising energy prices were contributing to the fastest inflation in 40 years,” stated The New York Times.
- Spikes in energy costs can be due to bottlenecks in the supply chain, but the inflation is largely due to to the price of crude oil. The economy is still being affected by the aftershocks of the pandemic, according to Clean Energy Wire.
- Crude oil prices can be influenced by a number of factors, supply and demand, inventories, seasonality and financial market considerations and expectations. Local, state and federal taxes also play a role in the cost of fuel, according to the American Petroleum Institute.