Along with the arrival of spring, Saturday will mark three weeks of the Iran war.
As a result of the conflict and a few other factors, gas prices have exploded across the nation.
The national average sits at $3.91 a gallon while in Utah it’s $3.88 at the pump, according to AAA.
Two and a half weeks ago at the conclusion of the first week of the Iran war, prices were $3.10 per gallon nationally and $2.78 statewide, as reported by the Deseret News.
According to those numbers, in less than a month, the national average gas price has surged by 81 cents, while the average in Utah has risen by over a dollar.
One credible report says that Americans are paying nearly $575 million more every day compared to a month ago.
The top 5 most expensive state gas price averages are all Western states.
- California: $5.65/gallon
- Washington: $5.21/gallon
- Hawaii: $5.12/gallon
- Oregon: $4.77/gallon
- Nevada: $4.69/gallon
Colorado and Utah round out the top tier, ranking 13th and 14th, respectively.
Why do gas prices go up this time of the year?
Gas prices often rise during the summer in part due to the production of summer-blend gasoline.
This type of gasoline is formulated to be less prone to evaporating in hot weather, which helps reduce pollution.
The switch to this blend and higher summer travel demand contribute to the seasonal increase in gas prices.
Some ways to keep costs down
AAA recommends driving the speed limit as aerodynamic drag “causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph,” their website says.
Additional strategies include reducing air conditioning usage, consolidating errands into fewer trips, and employing cruise control.