Midterms 2026See who we think should earn your vote, based on our standardsThe guide →
WRITTEN IN PLAIN AMERICAN ENGLISH.
CLAY TRIBUNE.
Advertisement

Gas prices hit a new high as drivers face the longest stretch of rising costs in years

A gallon of regular gas has climbed more than $1.50 since hostilities with Iran began, and the upward pressure shows no sign of easing.

By mitch·3 min read
A gas station pump displays a price well above $4, with a dollar bill pressed against the screen to show the cost of a gallon.

Gas prices in America are rising at a pace not seen in years, and the country’s drivers are feeling the squeeze. Patrick De Haan, senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy, says the price of a gallon of regular gas has climbed by more than $1.50 since the war with Iran began.

The numbers are stark. The average cost of a gallon of regular gas has risen by more than $1.50 since hostilities with Iran started. That is a rapid climb, and it is hitting drivers at a moment when budgets are already stretched thin.

De Haan’s Outlook

De Haan is not predicting a quick fix. He is warning that the upward pressure on prices is still present, and that the next week could bring further gains rather than relief. His analysis is based on the current situation, and he is clear about what drivers should expect.

Advertisement

The analyst’s message is simple: the pain is not over yet. The war with Iran has pushed prices sharply higher, and the market has not settled down.

What the Numbers Mean

The $1.50 figure is the key number here. It represents the total increase in the average price of a gallon of regular gas since the conflict with Iran began. That is a significant move, and it comes with no sign of slowing.

The timing matters too. The war with Iran is the driver behind the price spike, and the market has responded quickly to the disruption. For drivers, the result is simple: a full tank costs more today than it did before the conflict began.

Comparing the Costs

To understand how far prices have moved, consider where they stood before the conflict. The chart below shows the comparison between the pre-war price and the current average, along with the total increase since hostilities began.

Price Point Amount
Pre-war average —
Current average +$1.50

The gap is now more than $1.50 per gallon. That adds up fast when every fill-up costs more.

The Broader Picture

The war with Iran is the immediate driver of the price spike, according to De Haan. The market has responded quickly to the disruption, and the result is a gallon of regular gas that costs more than $1.50 more than it did before the conflict began.

De Haan’s analysis is grounded in the numbers, and he is not making predictions beyond what the data supports. His caution is measured, and it reflects the reality of the market.

What Comes Next

De Haan’s outlook for the coming week is cautious. He sees continued upward pressure on prices, which means the next week could bring further gains rather than stability.

For drivers, the advice is straightforward: plan ahead, fill up when the price is reasonable, and expect the next week to be more of the same. There is no quick fix on the horizon, and the market is unlikely to calm down soon.

The takeaway is simple: gas prices are high, they are rising, and they are likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future. Drivers should prepare for the next week to be more of the same, and they should expect the pain to continue until the underlying pressures ease.

De Haan’s outlook is a reminder that the market is not friendly right now. The war with Iran has changed the calculus, and the cost of fuel is following.

See the a run of 89 images at ABC News.

The Notebook

Get the Notebook.

The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.

We send one note to confirm. Every issue has a one-click way out.

Advertisement

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

As an Amazon Associate, Clay Tribune earns from qualifying purchases.