Map shows states hit hardest by gas price surge amid Iran war

MARCH 8, 2026

A map showing the average price for a gallon of regular gas as of March 7 in each state, based on GasBuddy data.

Gas prices are now up by nearly 50 cents nationwide compared to a week earlier when the U.S. and Israel launched their first joint strikes against Iran in what the Trump administration dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.”

According to GasBuddy, the world’s largest community-based fuel app, a gallon of regular gas cost $3.434 per gallon nationwide on Saturday morning. That was up from $2.972 last week and $2.891 last month.

Prices were even higher than a year earlier, when President Donald Trump had just returned to the White House with his promise to lower the cost of living for Americans. Then, a gallon of regular gas would cost a driver a nationwide average of $3.087.

Why Are Gas Prices Rising Again?

Despite the recent rise, gas prices remain much lower than their nationwide pandemic peak of $5.034 reached in June 2022. But they are still the highest average recorded so far this year, a sharp reversal of a downward trend that U.S. drivers would probably have liked to see continuing.

For analysts, there is no doubt the ongoing war in Iran has pushed prices up. Oil prices have surged after the shutdown of the vital Strait of Hormuz, which normally sees hundreds of ships passing every day carrying one-fifth of the oil consumed globally. As traffic on the narrow waterway remains blocked, prices for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel have shot through the roof.

Where Have They Risen the Most?

Every state has been suffering an increase in gas prices. While only days ago just eight states had average gasoline prices above $3 per gallon, that number has now surged to 42 states, according to GasBuddy data.

The largest increases in gas prices were reported in these states:

Even considering these recent increases, California drivers are still facing the highest gas prices in the country, at $5.048 per gallon of regular gas. Washington and Nevada followed with a price of $4.557 and $4.119, respectively.

What Does This Mean for Americans?

Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, wrote in a report on recent gas price hikes the financial impact of these increases is “enormous” already.

“Americans today will collectively spend roughly $175 million more per day on gasoline than a week ago and $200 million more per day than a month ago,” he wrote. “Over the next week alone, that translates into nearly $1.5 billion in additional fuel spending compared to early March.” DeHaan expects gas prices to continue rising in the coming days as the war in Iran is expected to continue. According to experts, reopening the Strait of Hormuz is the U.S.’s best chance to stop and reverse soaring gas prices.

Courtesy/Source: Newsweek